Short answer

Adopt a comprehensive PLM strategy that actively integrates management oversight, technological support, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the entire product journey.

Field: Innovation & Design
Source: ISRN Industrial Engineering (2013)
Method: Qualitative research, synthesis of existing literature, and community of practice engagement.
Evidence: Moderate effect

Effectively managing a product's entire lifecycle requires a holistic approach that integrates managerial strategies, technological tools, and collaborative processes. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2013 study published in ISRN Industrial Engineering. Using Qualitative research, synthesis of existing literature, and community of practice engagement., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Adopt a comprehensive PLM strategy that actively integrates management oversight, technological support, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the entire product journey.

Study

Innovation & DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

A Unified Framework for Product Lifecycle Management: Integrating Managerial, Technological, and Collaborative Aspects

Effectively managing a product's entire lifecycle requires a holistic approach that integrates managerial strategies, technological tools, and collaborative processes.

ISRN Industrial Engineering · 2013

Key Findings

01PLM encompasses managerial, technological, and collaborative dimensions.
02Existing definitions of PLM often emphasize either the managerial or the technological view, but rarely both comprehensively.
03A unified definition is needed to capture the full scope of PLM, including its knowledge management and data integration aspects.

Application

Design takeaway

Adopt a comprehensive PLM strategy that actively integrates management oversight, technological support, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the entire product journey.

How to apply

When initiating a new product design project, map out not only the design and manufacturing phases but also the post-launch support, maintenance, and disposal stages, identifying key stakeholders and necessary tools for each.

Project actions

01When defining your project scope, consider the product's entire lifecycle, not just its creation.
02Identify how different aspects of your design project (e.g., material selection, manufacturing process, user interaction) connect to the broader lifecycle.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop an extended definition of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) by integrating managerial, technological, and collaborative features from various perspectives.

MethodQualitative research, synthesis of existing literature, and community of practice engagement.

ProcedureThe study reviewed existing definitions of PLM from academic and industrial sources, analyzed them based on managerial, technological, and collaborative features, and synthesized these findings through focus groups and discussions within a university community of practice to propose an extended definition.

ContextProduct Lifecycle Management (PLM) in technology and manufacturing industries.

Variables

IVManagerial, Technological, and Collaborative Features of PLM

DVDefinition and understanding of PLM

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a comprehensive, integrated view of PLM.
+Synthesizes multiple perspectives into a single framework.

Limitations

It can be challenging to fully research and integrate all aspects of a product's lifecycle within the constraints of a typical design project.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by the synthesis of multiple academic and industrial definitions and validation through a community of practice. Validity is enhanced by integrating diverse viewpoints, though it may be limited by the specific context of the university community.

Think critically

How might a company's internal structure and culture influence its ability to implement a truly integrated PLM approach?

Design Principles

"Holistic Product Lifecycle Integration: Design and manage products with a unified perspective that encompasses strategic, technical, and collaborative elements from conception to end-of-life."

Understanding PLM as a multi-faceted concept is crucial for designers and engineers to ensure products are not only conceived and manufactured efficiently but also supported, updated, and eventually retired in a structured manner. This comprehensive view aids in long-term product success and resource optimization.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about a product from when it's just an idea all the way to when it's thrown away. You need good plans (managerial), good tools (technological), and good teamwork (collaborative) to do this well.

How to use in your project

1.Use the concept of PLM to justify the scope of your design project, demonstrating consideration for factors beyond initial development.
2.Discuss how your design choices align with or could be improved by a robust PLM strategy.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This design project acknowledges the importance of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), recognizing that a product's journey extends beyond its initial creation. By integrating managerial foresight, technological solutions, and collaborative efforts, as highlighted by Corallo et al. (2013), we aim to ensure the product is not only well-designed and manufactured but also supported and managed effectively throughout its entire lifespan, from conception to eventual disposal.

Source

ISRN Industrial Engineering

Defining Product Lifecycle Management: A Journey across Features, Definitions, and Concepts

journal · 2013

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about a unified framework for product lifecycle management: integrating managerial, technological, and collaborative aspects?: Adopt a comprehensive PLM strategy that actively integrates management oversight, technological support, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the entire product journey. Evidence: ISRN Industrial Engineering (2013).
Why does "A Unified Framework for Product Lifecycle Management: Integrating Managerial, Technological, and Collaborative Aspects" matter for design?: Understanding PLM as a multi-faceted concept is crucial for designers and engineers to ensure products are not only conceived and manufactured efficiently but also supported, updated, and eventually retired in a structured manner. This comprehensive view aids in long-term product success and resource optimization.
How can designers apply this research?: Adopt a comprehensive PLM strategy that actively integrates management oversight, technological support, and cross-functional collaboration throughout the entire product journey.
What were the main findings?: PLM encompasses managerial, technological, and collaborative dimensions.. Existing definitions of PLM often emphasize either the managerial or the technological view, but rarely both comprehensively.. A unified definition is needed to capture the full scope of PLM, including its knowledge management and data integration aspects.
What research method was used?: Qualitative research, synthesis of existing literature, and community of practice engagement..
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2013 journal from ISRN Industrial Engineering.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When initiating a new product design project, map out not only the design and manufacturing phases but also the post-launch support, maintenance, and disposal stages, identifying key stakeholders and necessary tools for each.
What are the limitations?: The study's findings are based on a specific university community of practice, which may not fully represent all industrial contexts. The synthesis of definitions relies on the authors' interpretation.