PLM adoption is becoming more advanced, and PLM practitioners must now have something
more than occasional meetings if they are to work at the level they need.
The PLMIG provides tools and frameworks with which PLM implementors can share ideas
and results over an extended period of time, and thus build a common understanding of
PLM best practice.
PLM Reference Models
The PLMIG is running programmes to develop three PLM Reference Models to provide industry standard
structure and metrics for:-
These are developing via workshop events and direct collaboration involving users, vendors, integrators
and consultancies. They are designed to be of immediate practical use, so their constraints are different, but they share
many common aspects which creates synergy during their development. More information is available via the above links, in
the PLM Journal or via
email.
PLM Planning
Planning for PLM is a challenging task - goals and targets can be difficult to define; deliverables are difficult to quantify;
the technical issues of data management are complex; and as PLM involves many parts of the enterprise, its planning impacts
on other existing plans and projects.
PLMIG methodologies make it possible to generate a forward view of PLM that spans the next 3-5 years, and thus to create
detailed plans for 2008, including milestones and deliverables, in a form
that can be presented to senior management for approval. The plans can be stand-alone or can form part of
a longer-term roadmap.
PLM Self-Assessment
The PLM Self-Assessment Toolkit
enables anyone to generate a standard, company-wide overview of their PLM situation without any outside assistance.
It guides new adopters through the preparation and understanding stages, so that they can see which actions
they need to take; and gives experienced practitioners a simple, standardised way of reviewing their complex PLM situation
to provide a cross-check on progress and act as a basis for constructive planning.
The Self-Assessment methodology is very straightforward
and should always be carried out internally. However, for large enterprises, the quantity and complexity of existing PLM
material may mean that it is difficult to condense into a concise working format for discussion. The PLMIG therefore provides
PLM Orientation Sessions that help
the internal team prepare for and review the Self-Assessment process.