This third edition updates and adds to the successful second edition and gives the reader a thorough description of PLM, providing them with a full understanding of the theory and the practical skills 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 second edition. Describing the environment in which products are developed, manufactured and supported, before addressing the Five Pillars of PLM: business processes, product data, PLM applications, Organisational Change Management (OCM) and Project Management, this book explains what Product Lifecycle Management is, and why it's needed. The final part of the book addresses the PLM timeline, showing the typical steps and activities of a PLM project or initiative. "Product Lifecycle Management" will broaden the reader's understanding of PLM, nurturing the skills needed to implement PLM successfully and to achieve world-class product performance across the lifecycle.

This second volume moves beyond a general introduction to product lifecycle management (PLM) and its principal elements to provide a more in-depth analysis of the subjects introduced in Volume 1 (21st Century Paradigm for Product Realisation).

Providing insights into the emergence of PLM and the opportunities it offers, key concepts such as the PLM Grid and the PLM Paradigm are introduced along with the main components of PLM and the associated characteristics, issues and approaches.

Detailing the 10 components of PLM: objectives and metrics; management and organisation; business processes; people; product data; PDM systems; other PLM applications; facilities and equipment; methods; and products, it provides examples and best practices.

The book concludes with instructions to help readers implement and use PLM successfully, including outlining the phases of a PLM Initiative: development of PLM vision and strategy; documentation of the current situation; description of future scenarios; development of implementation strategies and plans; implementation and use. The main activities, tasks, methods, timing and tools of the different phases are also described.


Global Product

by John Stark

Published 1 January 2007

Based on interviews with top executives from companies of different sizes and in different industries, this book explains the benefits and challenges of Global Product Development. "Global Product" provides examples from many companies, draws conclusions about best practices, and shows how to manage the innovation, development and support of Global Products. The author is the President of John Stark Associates, a leading service provider in the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) market, and has published numerous articles and books in the field.


Product Lifecycle Management

by John Stark

Published 28 September 2004
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), a new paradigm for product manufacturing, enables a company to manage its products all the way across their lifecycles in the most effective way. It helps companies get products to market faster, provide better support for their use, and manage end-of-life better. In today's highly competitive global markets, companies must meet the increasing demands of customers to rapidly and continually improve their products and services. PLM meets these needs, extending and bringing together previously separate fields such as Computer Aided Design, Product Data Management, Sustainable Development, Enterprise Resource Planning, Life Cycle Analysis and Recycling."Product Lifecycle Management: 21st century Paradigm for Product Realisation" explains the importance of PLM, from both the business and technical viewpoints, supported by examples showing how world-class engineering and manufacturing companies are implementing PLM successfully.
The book: introduces PLM, a unique holistic view of product development, support, use and disposal for industry worldwide, based on experience with internationally renowned companies; shows you how to take full advantage of PLM, how to prepare people to work in the PLM environment, how to choose the best solution for your situation; provides deep understanding, nurturing the skills you will need to successfully implement PLM and achieve world-class product development and support performance; and, gives access to a companion www site containing further material.

Digital Transformation of Industry

by John Stark

Published 18 February 2020

This graduate textbook is focused on digital transformation. It answers key questions regarding: which technologies can be used to transform an organisation, which activities within an organisation can be transformed, and what the aim of digital transformation should be.

The content is divided into three main parts, the first of which offers an introduction to the topic, highlights fundamental examples of digital transformation, defines the terminology, and enables readers to quickly understand the main components of digital transformation. The second part of the book addresses examples of digital transformation from several industries, including:

  • government;
  • finance;
  • health;
  • manufacturing; and
  • education.

The third and final section of the book describes the activities and processes within a typical digital transformation programme. The pedagogical approach to the process makes the book beneficial to both students who have never been involved in such a programme and practitioners who plan to implement digital transformation in their organisation.



This third volume provides an executive overview of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and details the roles that executives play in PLM initiatives. This book also explains why PLM emerged, why it is so important, the principles of PLM strategy, and the typical steps in a PLM initiative. Throughout the book, the author presents examples and cases studies, demonstrating the various roles of executives in PLM initiatives. The coverage is informed by John Stark's experience of working with companies on more than 100 PLM initiatives.

The present book broadens the reader's understanding of PLM, nurturing the skills needed to implement PLM successfully and to achieve world-class product performance across the product lifecycle. The book provides the executive reader with a thorough explanation of PLM, and the required knowledge to lead or participate in a PLM Initiative.