PLM Best Practices
Below are some best practice guidelines that may ease the implementation process, getting your PLM system up and running faster and easier.
•Develop iteratively
Although it is always best to know all the requirements in advance, this is often an unrealistic goal. Therefore, do not spend an inordinate amount of time upfront on requirements and design without user validation.
•Manage Requirements
Always keep in mind the requirements set by the users.
•Model Visually
Utilize diagrams and mock ups as models. Create visual prototypes and get user validation before developing any method code. Don't spend a significant amount of time developing specs without prototyping the solution.
•Use Components
Breaking down large projects into manageable pieces. Look for "Small Wins" that provide business value.
•Verify Quality
Always make testing a major component of the project.
•Control Change
Ensure that changes are synchronized and verified constantly.
•Divide Implementation into Phases
Create phases that provide business values and can be deployed independently. Build a plan for each of these phases that includes goals and be sure to give priority to important or high risk items.
•Use References
Check out "Writing Effective Use Cases" by Alistair Cockburn for a resource.
•Use Cases as a Foundation
You will most likely write two types of use cases: High Level and Detailed. These Use Cases are a foundation for documentation, training material, and test plans.