Strategies of Introducing PDM

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Strategies of Introducing PDM
Source Pikosz, P., Malmstorm, J., Malmqvist, J.,
1998, Strategies for introducing PDM systems in
engineering companies, Proc. Of International
Conf. On product data management.

• Prof. Juite Wang
• Department of Industrial Engineering
• Feng Chia University

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Outline

• Difficulties in implementing PDM
• Five dimensions for implementing PDM
• Three introduction strategies
• Success factors for implementing PDM

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Difficulties in implementing PDM

• vital components of the technology are immature
  and untested
• the implementation process is complex (involves
  the whole company, with many users with different
  information needs and computer skills)
• different implementation strategies are needed in
  different companies due to differences in PDM
  requirements and legacy systems.

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Dimensions

• Focus
• Level of change
• Width of change
• Participative-driven v.s. expert driven
• Speed of change

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Introduction strategies

• Project introduction
• Focus on one PDM function
• Central archive introduction

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Project introduction
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Project introduction strategy

• Introduce the PDM system for one development
  project for which all documents are stored and
  managed by the PDM system.
• Identify pilot project (either dummy or sharp
  data)
• Implement level by level upwardly

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Advantages of project introduction strategy

• Advantages
• Full PDM functionality can be implemented in a
  short time.
• Disadvantages
• The system may not be completely developed to
  give full support as the complexity increases.
• May need to duplicate archives
• Most cost demanding, since much customerization
  is required.
• Have highest failure risk

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Focus on one PDM function

• Focus on the introduction of one PDM function.
• Engineering change management document
  management
• Configuration management
• Linking CAD files to product structures
• Version control of files and structures

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Advantages of functional focus

• Advantages
• Fast increasing efficiency and user acceptance
• Lower failure risk
• Enable larger user acceptance and motivate an
  increased use of PDM system on a broader
  functionality.

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Central archive introduction

• Transfer companies archive to digital format to
  enable a fast access (security version control)
  to the documentation.
• Use the workflow functionality to distribute
  documents.
• Integrate with other computer tools through the
  company.

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Advantages of central archive introduction

• Easier to implement (offline by experts).
• Technologies (data vault and document management)
  are mature
• Good base for future implementation for other
  complex PDM functionalities.

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Comparison among three strategies
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Success factors

• Prestudy to determine company requirements,
  expectations, and difficulties for implementing
  PDM.
• Survey for commercial PDM (not build in house)
• The amount of classified information.
• Company IT infrastructure
• Business process improvement for product
  development
• Users take part in PDM implementation process
• Top management support