One of the sure-shot ways of optimizing your product life cycle is taking help from a standardized and reliable methodology such as the PLM.
Agile product lifecycle management (PLM) software is known for its optimizing faculties when it comes to integrating flexibility, speed, and innovation in a product process.
The robustness of PLM software further strengthens every phase, step, and process of the product lifecycle regardless of its stage.
This article will take you through the different ways of optimization carried out by PLM software and Agile Product Lifecycle Management to bring your product lifecycle accolade.
What is Agile Product Lifecycle Management?
First, we must establish the basic definition and concept of this methodology to further our cause.
Agile Product Lifecycle Management is a strategic term and process that involves optimizing and managing aspects of the product lifecycle to accommodate changes, harness data, and bring efficiency.
The associated byproducts of this process could be collaboration, flexibility, communication, and agility.
Traditional PLM methods act linearly and follow the phase-gate process. This means waiting for the completion of each stage before treading to the next one. As a consequence, longer development cycles appear that could limit adaptability and flexibility.
Au contraire, the agile PLM or agile methodology, believes in and follows the iterative path of development, collaboration, and feedback. This not only brings more speed to the process but accompanies high-quality and faster delivery.
Pivotal Benefits of Using PLM Software in Agile PLM
As evident as it may be, let’s have a look at the pivotal points and advantages of using PLM software.
1. Faster Time-to-Market
Faster time to market is an understandable benefit that PLM software in agile form could generate. It is because of the fact that it rids the system of potential bottlenecks that could hinder product development and slow down decision-making.
Agile principles and methodologies are automation-supported or backed; therefore, the elimination of manual labor could also ensure that the product reaches the hands of the customers more efficiently and quickly.
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Improved Collaboration
PLM software is known for its communication and collaboration properties. It takes the onus of making matters and communications streamlined and smoother between teams hailing from different departments and roles.
The collaborative efforts made between different individuals and teams facilitate product development processes, conflict resolutions, and alignment.
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Enhanced Product Quality
Product quality is a measure and consequence of several elements, and iterative steps, development, and feedback loops are one of those.
Agile PLM, as mentioned above, has iterative properties that back constant feedback, due to which teams can address and handle product issues in their infancy stage and improve the quality.
Regular quality checks also help enhance product quality in the most crucial stages of product lifecycle management.
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Cost Reduction
The biggest concern and matter of conflict could revolve around the cost associated with the production and development of the product.
Because of the above-stated benefits, collaboration, quicker launch time, iterative processes, and automation, there is a low margin for error. This low error margin reduces development costs at each stage of the product lifecycle.
PLM software ensures that agile PLM helps businesses gain maximum advantage by leveraging all the low-cost benefits.
Pivotal Features of PLM Software for Agile Product Lifecycle Management
Agile Product lifecycle management software comes with the following set or assortment of faculties or features:
- Real-Time Collaboration Tools: PLM software has tools that boost communication and teamwork and promote workplace harmony regardless of the location of each team member.
- Version Control and Change Management: Agile product development involves processes that are necessary to produce the finest product, and these may involve iterative changes.
- PLM software comes with different tools and version controls that track all the changes that are involved in the product development process.
- The version controls are change management agents that affirm that all teams work on the latest product with updated changes.
- Data Integration: One of the vital aspects and faculty of Agile PLM is data integration from various sources, departments, and avenues. This consolidation of truth from different sources allows for more accurate product data.
Oracle Agile: A Renowned Agile Solution
There are many PLM software solutions, but only a few stand out and make a name for themselves. Oracle Agile, being a leader in PLM software and Agile product lifecycle management, comes loaded with beneficial tools and support.
With its excessive emphasis on flexibility, collaboration, and real-time insights, Oracle Agile is also credited as the best optimization tool for product lifecycle. Some of its known features and faculties are:
- Flexible Configuration
- Scalability
- Comprehensive Data Management
- Compliance and Risk Management
Conclusion
Companies now have to make extra amends and efforts to survive in this competition-bound world. Agility is a necessity, and agile product lifecycle management is the way to go about it.
Whether you employ agile product lifecycle management software or Oracle Agile, the end goal and agenda are always the same. PLM software could bring you success by optimizing and perfecting the product lifecycle process.
