PLM roadmap: stepwise PLM implementation based on the concepts of maturity and alignment

TLDR

PLM is increasingly vital for firms in dynamic markets, yet its conceptual nature and requirement for cross‑functional, long‑term collaboration make successful implementation difficult. The paper develops a PLM framework to assess and guide implementations. The framework draws on capability maturity and business/IT alignment insights. An empirical assessment of 23 Dutch organisations validated the framework and provided benchmark data, enabling firms to create PLM roadmaps that improve implementation success.

Abstract

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is increasingly important for organisations acting in dynamic and competitive markets. In practice however, companies struggle with implementing PLM. Because PLM is rather a concept than a system, as its main premises are to improve sustainable advantage through agility and innovation. The concept implies structural, cross-functional and long-term cooperation between actors in- and outside the firm. This complexity hampers the achievement of successfully implementing PLM that truly integrates all organisational aspects and levels. The central aim of this paper is to develop a PLM framework to assess and guide PLM implementations. This framework builds upon insights from capability maturity and business/IT-alignment. The results of a first empirical assessment of 23 Dutch organisations are presented, which were used to empirically validate the framework and to provide benchmark data. Based on the framework and benchmark organisations can develop their own PLM Roadmap to increase the success of their PLM implementation.