We base our simplified sub-division of product lifecycle management into only two zones on the idea of front loadings. According to the front loading concept, PLM activities must be distributed and structured so that most of the concept and analysis work, including verification of customer requirements, is moved to the earlier phase. This achieves two positive effect: for one, the planning and success probability of a product is assured, and for another, this approach ensures that the investment-consuming phases of product realization, testing, and launch result in the lowest possible level of poor investments and are carried out rapidly. In terms of a holistic PLM approach, this idea can be expressed in simple form as follows: during the Adagio phase, we make sure that we develop the right products; in the Presto phase, we assure the correct launch on the market in good time. The latter must be considered against the backdrop that every invested euro must ultimately create a measurable added value. Despite the many different views and concepts related to PLM, we will describe below only some of the methods which assure appropriate T2M and F2M in product lifecycle management. These remarks are also based on the sub-division according to Adagio and Presto phases.  

Customer needs management in the Adagio zone  

The methods which are to be applied to control the speed in PLM have not been standardized. They differ according to temporal and content criteria as well as to aspects of investment intensity. Dealing with this multi-layered topic has produced a number of approaches in the past which, in part overlapping, offer clear methods for effective management.

Let us take a look at customer needs management (CNM) as an example. CNM pursues the clear objective of achieving fit-to-market. This is done by applying methods during the Adagio phase which predict as accurately as possible the current needs of the market and reactions to new products. Since the concept phase is the one demanding the greatest intensity of knowlege and analysis, sufficient time and funds for the best possible analysis should be available at this time.

The innovation methods which are supposed to be utilized in the process steps “idea generation” and “idea assessment” relate directly to the end customers who are expected to buy the development project in the form of an end product. This is where methods with high intensity of time and investment can be used to identify possible bad investments in the early phases. Good examples are evaluation clinics (also known as user clinics) where customers evaluate innovative product ideas according to various aspects in a laboratory situation and influence the concept phase in the sense of CNM. Whereas user clinics place the target customers in a lab situation, methods such as lead user diaries and day-in-the-life visits take a look at the target customers in their everyday lives so that the F2M is assured.