Product Lifecycle Management (Volume 1)

This book explains what Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) is and why it is needed. It describes the environment in which products are ideated, developed, manufactured, supported and retired before addressing the main components of PLM and PLM Initiatives. Among the components of PLM are product-related business processes, product data, Product Data Management (PDM) systems, other PLM applications, best practices, company objectives and organisation. Key activities in PLM Initiatives include Organisational Change Management (OCM) and Project Management. The book also describes the relationships of PLM with the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Digital Twins, Digital Threads, Artificial Intelligence, Quality Management, Product Management and Sustainability. The final part of the book addresses the PLM Initiative, showing the typical steps and activities of a PLM project or initiative. This sixth edition updates and adds to the successful fifth edition which, with more than 2,100 citations on Google Scholar in September 2025, is the most frequently cited PLM publication. It gives the reader a thorough explanation of PLM and provides them with a full understanding and the knowhow to implement PLM within their own business environment. This new and expanded edition is fully updated to reflect the many technological and management advances made in PLM since the release of the fifth edition in 2021. This book broadens the reader’s understanding of PLM and develops the skills needed to implement PLM successfully and to achieve world-class product performance across the lifecycle.