PLM is evolving towards a future state that will bring together all of the current ideas, methodologies and tools into a cohesive, homogeneous business environment.  People, processes, technology and knowledge will be fused within the extended enterprise, and product value chains and lifecycles will be seamless, integrated networks of companies working in partnership.

Such a future state will be far in advance of anything that exists now, and most companies would regard it as very desirable. Perhaps PLM will then be "retired" as a business activity in the same way as TQM or BPR, so that it becomes "something we have completed" and know all about.

However, PLM is all about increased competitiveness, and improving the way that products are realised and managed through time.  Competition is not going to disappear in 10 years' time, and product development will continue for as long as there are people on the planet. The question therefore arises: "What can there be beyond our current perception of PLM?"

If the current horizon of PLM can be defined as "full maturity" of what is being developed now, then there needs to be some new and advanced thought about what is missing, and what could be improved.

This may happen randomly, or through a general process of innovation, but if it does occur this way then it is unlikely to happen for several years, until mature PLM is much closer and the picture is more clear.  With the further lead time from new ideas to their realisation, it means that the next state of PLM may be 15 or more years away.

If we are to get there sooner there needs to be a formal initiative to bring together researchers, users, vendors (in fact, the whole PLM community) to make a constructive leap of thought towards the next level.  The PLMIG initiative to do this is FuturePLM

The PLMIG Research SIG is already moving in this direction, following the Lausanne meeting with its aim of a PLM Research Vision and Roadmap. This will create a framework within which new PLM research can be identified and positioned, which should be applicable anywhere in the world that research submissions are made.  

The RSIG will coordinate this to see how much formalisation can be achieved. The most effective way to move forward would be for FuturePLM to become a specific initiative to run in parallel with the three Reference Models.  This would create four complementary themes:-

• Benefits Reference Model - What can be gained from PLM?
• Maturity Reference Model - What progress should be achieved?
• Best Practice Reference Model - What is PLM excellence?
• FuturePLM - What is 'Next Generation' PLM?

The actual structure and content of FuturePLM will be determined over the next few months.  To find out more or to participate, follow this link.