Configuration Management involves part re-identification, crucial for avoiding issues. Simply relying on Form, Fit, and Function is insufficient; traceability and interchangeability are vital. Notable failures from misidentification, such as Deepwater Horizon and GM’s Ignition Switch, highlight this. For further insights, consider the author’s book on the topic.
Configuration Management (CM) is crucial for proper identification of business elements such as parts, documents, and datasets. Without established rules for identification, a company risks operational chaos and potential failure. Effective governance ensures clarity and organization, making identification a vital aspect of successful business management. Join the discussion on LinkedIn.
In his year-end post, Martin Eigner discusses the nuances of part revisions within PLM tools, summarizing insights from previous writings. He highlights that parts themselves shouldn’t have revisions; instead, data sets linked to parts should. Various methods for managing Bill of Materials revisions are explored, noting each approach’s strengths and weaknesses.
The article discusses the need for a shift in customer focus within the automotive industry, particularly among Western OEMs, to adapt to shorter product life cycles driven by software integration. It emphasizes the importance of agile methodologies in product development, configuration management adjustments, and collaborating across hardware and software engineering to meet evolving customer expectations efficiently.
The Essential Guide to Part Re-Identification is now available on Amazon and Apple Book Store. It addresses challenges in Interchangeability and Traceability, guiding readers through effective part re-identification decisions. The book includes practical exercises and insights for optimizing processes and reducing risks, promoting long-term success in product management.
The article discusses the ongoing debate about parts and revisions in PLM tools, stressing that parts should not have revisions while datasets associated with them should. It advocates for linking datasets and parts to enhance change agility, suggesting a model where parts lack revisions but datasets possess them for efficient management and impact analysis in engineering changes.
The article discusses the importance of configuration management (CM) for startups, which often overlook it. It outlines various startup phases, emphasizing when to implement CM practices to ensure growth and scalability. The author encourages startups to view CM as an enabler rather than a burden, highlighting the need for effective processes and documentation.
The COVID-19 Impact on Configuration Management Survey garnered 35 responses, revealing that about a third of organizations experienced disruptions in their Configuration Management processes. Most organizations were not paper-based and relied on automation. Change Management and Verification & Audit were the most affected areas, while some reported positive outcomes, particularly with enhanced electronic processes.