Developing a PLM Framework: A Case Study Application in an Energy Company

Product lifecycle management has to be related to a business approach that requires IT solutions and also organizational changes in order to produce the desired effects. Different aspects (product data, people, processes, organization, IT technologies) needs to be integrated together for the achievement of a competitive advantage for the company. PLM needs of operational tools that can support the implementation of the theoretical principles. In particular, as extensively studied in the literature, company needs frameworks to refer for guiding the implementation of PLM initiatives and to support improvement actions. Based on an action research, the paper wants to describe the development and application of a PLM framework in Ansaldo Energia, an Italian leader energy company. The framework is product-centred and focused on processes and related IT systems. It allows to diffuse knowledge and culture on products lifecycle inside the company. Indications for the framework development in the ARIS Software AG are also provided.