IT-tools for engineering and production planning in an international automotive company: challenges and concepts

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IT-tools for engineering and production planning in an international automotive company: challenges and concepts

Burr, H. / Deubel, T. / Vielhaber, M. / Haasis, S. / Weber, C.

This paper provides an in-depth, inside look at current issues in product development of an international car manufacturing company, elaborating the requirements regarding the deployment of CAx- and EDM/PDM (Engineering Data Management/Product Data Management)-systems which have arisen due to general trends in development and production. Several concepts and strategies for the future development of EDM/PDM-systems are introduced, including a system concept based on a new approach towards designing and planning of products called Property-Driven Design/Development (PDD). New systems and processes necessitate that the engineers concerned develop new ways of thinking and working. The trends and concepts sketched in this paper, however, irrevocably lead to changes, provoking shifts in tasks and responsibilities. A useful tool in overcoming user bias and promoting user acceptance is work psychology. Work psychology techniques can smooth the way for change processes. People have to understand the need for a change to be able to greet it; the areas concerned need to be integrated in the change process as early as possible and be given a say in working out the concepts and strategies aimed at facilitating the change. Any EDM/PDM-strategy to be embraced will need to face the challenges posed. Future work will have to focus on the evaluation and validation of the approaches targeting this particular process environment in order to best support the development process with a sustainable IT-concept.