PDM: an enabling technology for integrated product development

Product data management (PDM) systems are crucial as an enabling technology for integrated product development (IPD). In Texas Instruments (TI) Defense Systems and Electronics Group (DSEG), a PDM architecture is being developed, which consists of four primary segments of functionality: project and enterprise-level PDM, discipline or subprocess-centered environments, cross-discipline data sharing and collaboration support, and specialized PDM environments. A key element of the architecture is the data management system (DMS), which has been developed for project- and enterprise-level functionality. The capabilities of this system, which is in production, are having a positive effect on IPD. DSEG´s implementation of the other three segments is less mature, but is being worked as part of the overall PDM strategy. DSEG´s phased approach to implementing an effective PDM solution includes working closely with the teams developing and defining the IPD subprocesses to ensure that the PDM systems developed support these processes. It also includes working with various operating organizations to ensure an effective fanout of the capabilities that are developed