Looking to streamline the PLM planning and implementation process? Check out the following list of recommendations from a white paper written by John Stark Associates and SofTech Inc. entitled "Top 10 PLM Pitfalls to Avoid - version 2".
1. Include executive education as a top priority of your PLM program planning. Prepare for upfront presentation to top management/VPs to school them on PLM and make sure you address the business benefits of PLM.
2. Define and communicate critical PLM success factors. If you are a PLM Initiative Manager, defining and communicating a set of critical success factors (CSFs) for your PLM project should be a priority. CSFs should not be confused with goals and objectives.
3. Measure your PLM success. Remember that it's nearly impossible to manage what you don't measure.
4. Promote your PLM success. Rally your PLM team and spread the excitement about the changes coming with PLM.
5. Proceed only when everyone is educated and agrees. Waiting until you implement to develop a user acceptance plan can be dangerous; don't do it.
6. Don't think of PLM only as an engineering enterprise. PLM can touch upon every product process, person, and bit of information created and used throughout the entire product lifecycle and even beyond. Therefore, it's definitely not just an engineering initiative. It is an enterprise initiative and should be treated as such. It is important to maintain a wider vision for PLM to really maximize its value.
7. Plan to overcome setbacks and rejection. Plan for the inevitable with education and realistic program schedules and plans.
8. Move forward with a sense of reality. Many PLM initiatives fail because companies have an unclear sense of the reality of their business and of PLM. Get to know your business or use an outside consultant to help you.
9. Consider risk avoidance as a key factor for PLM. One of the single most valuable benefits of a PLM solution is risk management. Communicate that PLM can have a significant impact in helping your company avoid risk. Should you choose to gamble, risk can be very costly.
10. Don't wait. No doubt, your competitors are on to PLM. If you expect to compete and remain in business profitably, you will need to consider PLM sooner than later.