PLM Interest Group

The standard PLM Definition below is not intended to overwrite any of the existing definitions, or to prove their authors wrong.  It is merely a simple, neutral definition that is easy to explain and that, when applied literally, covers the whole scope of PLM.

There have been many different versions of a PLM Definition (notably from John Stark, CIMdata, and all of the vendors) and the result is still confusing.  Part of the problem is the sheer number of definitions, which all seem inconsistent with each other - and part of the problem is that most of the definitions seem to fall short of expressing the full scope and complexity of PLM.  Using the definition below will rectify this situation.

In general, for PLMIG work, we find a PLM Definition is unnecessary.  All experienced PLM practitioners have a mental picture of PLM that is close enough and consistent enough for them to work together immediately, even though they might have difficulty writing it down.

However, everyone needs to define PLM at some point, in order to explain to the board and to other parts of the organisation what they are doing.  The PLM Definition below is accurate and comprehensive.  If you find problems in applying it, then make sure you have taken account of all of the other elements of the standard PLM Concept Set.

<<< Return to the PLM Concept Set

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