Delphi Study PLM 2020

PLM solutions are well established as a backbone for effective industrial engineering. As a company-wide solution, long term PLM planning has to be aligned with other company strategies, such as business, product or IT strategies. Since PLM solutions are mostly shaped by commercial PLM software providers with a focus on profitable short term software, the development of a long term corporate PLM strategy is quite challenging. In order to provide guidance in the process of long term strategic planning, ITM Bochum conducted a Delphi study in spring 2009 interviewing roughly 50 well-known industrial PLM experts. The study assessed and quantified the expected PLM developments, applications, and research trends in the next 10 years. Each of the interviewed experts has more than 20 years of experience in PLM and covers a different industrial perspective (management, product development, IT). Thus, their estimations are significant to identify main trends in PLM. This article summarizes the results of this Delphi study and gives valuable input not only to industrial PLM planners, but also to PLM solution providers, and PLM research institutions.