This article discusses the importance of structured reasoning capture in product design, emphasizing that while documenting decisions can expose liability in court, disorganized records pose even greater risks. Effective governance of documented reasoning creates a defensible narrative, contrasting with unregulated documentation, which can lead to catastrophic legal outcomes, as seen in high-profile cases.
The article highlights the challenges of capturing tacit knowledge in engineering design, emphasizing that valuable insights often exist informally within experienced professionals. It advocates for recording reasoning during decision-making processes and acknowledges the importance of mentoring, suggesting a balanced approach between documentation and recognizing human expertise in knowledge management.
The article examines the concept of Product Memory within the context of configuration management (CM), highlighting the importance of preserving the reasoning behind engineering decisions. It emphasizes that while CM effectively manages the “what” of product data, it often overlooks the critical “why.” This gap can lead to significant risks, particularly in complex systems. The integration of AI could assist in retrieving and recording this reasoning, reinforcing the value of… Read More »The Question Your Configuration Management System Can’t Answer!
The article discusses the application of AI in engineering change management (ECM), highlighting two studies that focus on predicting change propagation and adherence to effectivity dates. It emphasizes the importance of confirming the scope before effectivity and the need for documented processes to support AI modeling. Practitioners should consider the quality of process inputs when deploying AI tools.
The article discusses the importance of distinguishing between applicability and effectivity in change management. It highlights how confusion arises when both concepts are tackled simultaneously, leading to unresolved issues during meetings. The author advocates for a structured process that separates scope confirmation from effectivity assignment, enhancing productivity and decision-making in organizations.
The article discusses the challenges in reconciling discrepancies between the as-designed, as-built, and as-maintained baselines in engineering and manufacturing. It highlights how AI can systematically identify these gaps, enabling better tracking and traceability, while emphasizing the human role in interpreting these discrepancies to ensure effective configurations and risk management.
This article discusses the importance of human accountability in AI-assisted configuration management, emphasizing that governance failures, rather than technical issues, led to AI’s biggest failures in 2025. It highlights the necessity for clear ownership in processes and warns against over-relying on AI, which cannot replace human judgment, responsibility, and engagement in organizational culture.
The article emphasizes the need for organizations to reassess their configuration management frameworks in light of rapid software deployment. It suggests that a granular approach, distinguishing between low-risk and high-risk changes, is essential. By implementing tiered governance, companies can maintain both speed and control, enhancing overall software delivery efficiency.
This article discusses the importance of separating change governance functions within organizations to improve project outcomes. It introduces the Enterprise Change Assessment, Change Review Board, and Change Implementation Board as distinct roles that clarify assessment, decision-making, and implementation, addressing common issues like budget overruns and unclear responsibilities in project management.
This article from the How Do YOU CM2? series emphasizes the importance of capturing design rationale in decision-making for effective knowledge management. It highlights how failing to document the reasoning behind design choices leads to inefficiencies, particularly for new hires. AI can assist in documenting these rationales seamlessly during the engineering process, improving future decision-making.