PLM – It’s Not Rocket Science — Or Is It?

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Long ago (but not so long ago), when I was still a young rooster—or as the Swedes like to say, ‘ungtupp’ (because why use one syllable when you can use two?) I found myself in the heart of a manufacturing facility at Godrej & Boyce, passionately pitching the implementation of an Infor Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system. “PLM isn’t rocket science,” I declared with confidence. The room paused briefly before someone screamed and said, “Well, it is for us—we’re rocket scientists” and the room erupted into laughter. I couldn’t help but join in, realizing I had set myself up perfectly for the punchline.

Godrej & Boyce, a name synonymous with precision engineering in India, contributed to critical projects in aerospace and defense, building components for actual rockets. It was a humbling reminder that no matter how advanced or complex the work, digital transformation is about simplifying processes, not complicating them. That day, I learned that even rocket scientists appreciate a bit of humor — and a lot of efficiency.

A Journey from Spreadsheets to PLM

At the time, many organizations were still managing their product data on spreadsheets and shared drives. Product data lived in silos, scattered across departments, creating delays and errors. Engineers would joke about hunting down the “latest version” of a CAD file like it was an Indiana Jone’s treasure.

Convincing a legacy-driven organization to embrace digital transformation is not easy. There is always resistance — a fear of change, a hesitation to abandon familiar processes. At Godrej, I heard all the usual objections: “We have always done it this way” and “Why fix something that isn’t broken?” But as we dug deeper, it became evident that the cracks were already forming. Projects were delayed because the wrong version of a design was sent to production. Time was wasted searching for documents. And worse, knowledge was lost when experienced employees left.

That’s when the conversation shifted from implementing an enterprise wide central repository tool to solve real business problems.

The “Aha!” Moment

One of the turning points in that project came when a senior engineer confessed that his biggest frustration was seeing the same mistakes repeated across different projects. Designs were being reinvented instead of reused. Teams in different departments didn’t know what others were working on. The lack of visibility was costing the company both time and money.

PLM suddenly made sense to everyone in the room.

By centralizing product data, automating workflows, and providing a single source of truth, PLM promised to reduce errors, improve collaboration, and accelerate time to market. But beyond the technical features, what really resonated with the team was the idea that PLM could capture and preserve knowledge. It wasn’t just about managing products — it was about managing expertise.

PLM is About People, Not Just Products

One of the biggest misconceptions about PLM is that it’s a purely technical solution. In reality, PLM is deeply human. It’s about empowering people to focus on meaningful work instead of boring tasks. It’s about breaking down silos and encouraging collaboration. And it’s about ensuring that valuable knowledge isn’t lost in the chaos of day-to-day operations.

At Godrej, the rocket scientists weren’t just building components; they were solving complex problems every day. PLM gave them a platform to document those solutions, share insights, and build on each other’s work. It transformed the way they approached innovation.


The Cultural Shift

Digital transformation isn’t just about deploying new software — it’s about changing mindsets. It’s about helping organizations see that data is an asset, processes can be improved, and collaboration drives better outcomes.

At Godrej, this cultural shift didn’t happen overnight. There were skeptics who needed convincing. There were workflows that needed rethinking. But slowly, the organization began to embrace the change. Engineers started trusting the system to deliver the right data at the right time. Managers appreciated the transparency and accountability that PLM provided. And leadership saw the business impact in the form of faster project timelines and reduced costs.

Why PLM is More Relevant Today than Ever

Looking back, the challenges we faced a decade ago feel surprisingly familiar today. Many organizations are still stuck in the same loop of managing product data manually, relying on tribal knowledge, and struggling with version control. The difference is that today, the pace of innovation has accelerated. Products are more complex, customer expectations are higher, and the competition is fiercer.

In this environment, PLM is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity.

The companies that embrace PLM today aren’t just streamlining their operations; they are future-proofing their businesses. They are building digital threads that connect every phase of the product lifecycle, from ideation to retirement. They are enabling seamless collaboration across global teams. And they are leveraging data to drive smarter, faster decisions.

What PLM Means for Innovation

One of the most powerful benefits of PLM is its ability to unlock innovation. By providing a single source of truth, PLM allows teams to reuse proven designs, avoid redundant work, and focus their energy on solving new problems.

At Godrej, I saw firsthand how PLM enabled the team to take on more ambitious projects with confidence. They knew they had the tools and processes to manage complexity. They knew their data was reliable. And they knew they could learn from past projects to continuously improve.

The Future of Digital Transformation

As industries continue to evolve, the role of PLM will only become more critical. Companies are moving beyond traditional product management to embrace concepts like digital twins, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven insights. PLM systems are evolving too, becoming more user-friendly, more connected, and more intelligent.

But at its core, the value of PLM remains the same: it is about empowering people to do their best work, faster and smarter.

A Lesson Learned

That project at Godrej taught me a valuable lesson: never underestimate the people you’re speaking to. What might seem simple to one person could be revolutionary to another. And sometimes, the people you’re trying to convince might just be rocket scientists.

Today, I tell clients that PLM isn’t rocket science — it’s about creating a foundation for sustainable growth. But I always follow it up with a smile, remembering that sometimes, it is rocket science after all.

Digital transformation is a journey, not a destination. PLM is one of the most powerful tools organizations can adopt to navigate that journey. It’s not about the technology itself, but about what it enables: faster innovation, smarter collaboration, and better products.

And who knows? Maybe the next time someone tells me it’s not rocket science, I will ask if they’re hiring 🙂

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