Implementing PLM is a major project activity requiring the commitment of people and resources over a long timescale, from all parts of the extended enterprise.  This commitment can only be defined and approved based on clear and accurate plans.

The problem for PLM managers is that, although they will have masses of technical information about data management and how their PLM systems have been structured and developed, it is always difficult to quantify the business benefits and to give a 5-year forward view of PLM to the board.

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 now make it possible to to create detailed plans for 2012, including milestones and deliverables, in a form that can be presented with confidence to senior management for their approval and commitment.  The plans can be stand-alone or can be part of a forward view of PLM that spans the next 3-5 years, to form a longer-term roadmap.

The task of PLM planning is made more difficult because of factors such as the lack of universal understanding of PLM and PDM, and the tendency for issues to be debated at too detailed a level.  These can be addressed by appropriate use of the PLM Benchmarking Handbook methodology, which deals with context and business issues (in the form of a 'Navigation Model') before drilling down to detail. The Handbook methodology is complete and has been used successfully on real PLM implementations.

It can be difficult to generate a planning picture of the whole implementation framework, but the Path to PLM provides a neutral starting structure for this.  It acts as a standard template against which to align your own PLM plans.

The third element is the forward view that is necessary for the PLM roadmap.  The structure and tools within the PLM Maturity Reference Model (MRM) can be used to develop this.

There is only one way to develop detailed plans for your PLM implementation, and that is in a working session at your site, involving all of your PLM team, and making use of your own material as well as the PLMIG tools.

The PLM Planning Workshop is therefore structured as a 2-Day working session, held at your premises.  The Workshop objective is to generate, in draft form, the PLM submission to your Management Team for 2012.  You will then be able to complete the formalities of producing the PowerPoint slides or Word documentation, or may add an additional day if you need the PLMIG to do so.

The Workshop is run in a group format to work through all of the planning, and includes the PLMIG experience in managing context, awareness, support, and project activity in PLM.   You will receive a copy of the PLM Benchmarking Handbook and the current Path to PLM and Maturity Reference Manual as part of the Workshop, so you will be able to use those in 2012 to support your programme.

Location and Fee
The Workshop is held at the company site and is based on the company's own PLM. The fees are €3500 / $4500 / £2950 per day, discounted for PLMIG members.  A copy of the Benchmarking Handbook is included.

For more information about the Workshop, or about PLM planning in general, contact plm_planning@plmig.com.

[Top]