The Growing Myth of OTA Quick Fixes The automotive industry loves the promise of OTA software updates. The idea that misbehavior in the field can be “fixed remotely” has become part of both product strategy and marketing. Industry voices often proclaim, “If something goes wrong, we’ll just push an update.” Yet, rising software-related recalls and increasing regulatory scrutiny tell a […]
BOM Data Integrity in a “Post‑BOM” World (and Why I Disagree) Reading “2026 – The year we have to unlearn BOMs!” immediately brought back decades of scars from broken configurations, field failures, and costly recalls rooted in poor BOM data integrity. The thesis that classic assemblies and traditional BOM thinking have become obsolete misses […]
Configuration Management Vehicle Platforms – Practices for Multi-Project Success In the dynamic world of vehicle platform development, configuration management is more crucial than ever. As manufacturers innovate, multiple projects often require changes across various vehicle systems built on the same platform. Ensuring seamless, high-quality integration demands robust strategies―especially branching and merging―to keep development efficient and […]
Configuration management (CM) and product testing and verification are inextricably linked processes crucial for successful product development and production. Without effective configuration management, performing effective testing becomes difficult. CM provides the foundation for efficient, reliable, and insightful testing activities in today’s complex and constantly evolving systems across automotive, aerospace, defense, and software development industries. This […]
Don’t Erase the Past to Reuse a Number Introduction: Configuration Item Traceability in PLM (#1) In product lifecycle management (PLM), effective configuration item traceability is not just a best practice—it’s a critical requirement, particularly for regulated industries such as medical devices, aerospace, and rail. Drawing on the principles and works of Jon M. Quigley, a […]
Introduction In today’s competitive market, understanding the gears of product development is crucial for delivering successful products. Each element—like requirements elicitation, configuration management, and risk management—acts as a gear in a well-oiled machine. When these gears work in harmony, teams can accelerate innovation, minimize risk, and maximize the value of their products. This is not […]
What is Software Download Over the Air (DOTA)? Jon M Quigley Software download over the air (OTA) refers to the wireless delivery of software updates, patches, or new features directly to devices without the need for physical connections or manual intervention. This technology is widely used in smartphones, IoT devices, vehicles, and enterprise systems to […]
What Is Configuration Management in Manufacturing? Configuration management (CM) is a systematic process that ensures all aspects of a product—manufacturing equipment, software, or both—remain consistent with their original specifications and intended functionality throughout their lifecycle. In manufacturing, configuration management aligns the product’s performance, functional, and physical attributes with requirements, design, and operational information from […]
Why Purchasing Matters in Project Management Purchasing is a cornerstone of successful project management, directly impacting cost, quality, and schedule. Purchasing and supplier selection figure prominently in product development and project management, emphasizing that effective purchasing is not just about buying goods or services—it’s about strategic supplier selection, risk management, and aligning procurement with project […]
This blog post is promoted by a LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/alindenthal_engineers-give-up-plm-plm-systems-have-activity-7337209561826660352-Yi2X/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAJVUn4BzjTVfTnHgKx3zQWTPI5tYcYTiCM Engineers Give Up on PLM Systems – Lessons from Jon M. Quigley’s Work Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems are intended to streamline product development, enhance traceability, and ensure quality. Yet, as Jon M. Quigley, renowned author, engineer, and project management expert, has observed throughout his […]