Identification of critical building blocks in PLM system implementation in the automotive supply chain

In today’s industrialised world, manufacturers must adapt and evolve their Product Development (PD) processes through the adoption of bespoke ICT tools. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and its associated tools are one option manufacturers may choose to assist in this change. However, PLM tools are not always viable due to costs associated and system integration issues; therefore, careful selection and consideration of the most appropriate tool, which meets company requirements, needs to be taken before selection and implementation. This paper presents a case study of a Tier 1 supplier in the automotive industry, identifying the critical building blocks for successful implementation and integration of a PLM system in to their manufacturing operations. A framework is proposed to assist manufacturers in identifying and ranking the building blocks which should be considered when implementing such PLM tools