If you want to carry out an engineering project efficiently, you need good project management. But what is the best way to combine project planning with basic and detail engineering? In addition to good allocation of the individual project participants, effective data management is also important. Integrated software solutions offer enormously increased effectiveness through standardized processes.
When PDM software is integrated into the rest of the company's processes, the result is effective data management that significantly reduces administrative overhead.
Structure of an engineering project
Normally, projects in a company are processed according to defined processes. These should also be presented in process documentation. In this way, errors can be detected more quickly, new employees can be trained more effectively, and workflows can be kept consistent.
The following processes come into contact with an engineering project:
- Sales (acquisition, bidding)
- Calculation & Ordering
- Project Management
- Basic engineering (feasibility study)
- Detail engineering
- Procurement (BANF)
- Manufacturing
- Ongoing documentation
In order to carry out a project as efficiently as possible, a well-organized document repository is essential. These documents must be accessible to all project participants at all times.
Integrated processes provide efficiency boost
If all workflows are perfectly harmonized and the roles of the individual employees are optimally distributed, we are dealing with an optimal process. To make the most of this optimal process, you need an adapted software environment.
Integrated engineering processes are defined as the automatic synchronization of data between CAD and PDM software. CAD data is transferred from the CAD software, automatically prepared in the PDM system and made available to the employees. Each employee sees the data as he or she needs it. When the PDM software is integrated into the rest of the company's processes, the result is effective data management that significantly reduces administrative effort. Parts lists are forwarded directly to procurement. Changes are made available to everyone involved in the project and new data records are immediately visible. One of the biggest advantages is that data only has to be entered once and it is automatically displayed in the views that the respective employee needs. From costing to engineering to procurement, work is done in one project. This saves time, reduces the susceptibility to errors and increases efficiency.
Optimal project processes as an important step towards successful digitization
The project management of an engineering project is a great challenge. Many processes of a company have to be considered. But with optimal workflows, modern software systems and integrated processes, one reduces the administrative effort and makes projects more efficient.
