The report summarizes the results of a multi-sponsor collaborative research program.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA 2 August 2023—Representatives from the Aerospace & Defense PLM Action Group (AD PAG) announce the publication of a report that presents the results, analysis, and summary observations from research on the topic of digital thread conducted by CIMdata on their behalf. For this research effort, CIMdata and the AD PAG partnered with Aras, Eurostep, Jama Software, PTC, and Siemens Digital Industries Software, all solution providers committed to addressing the digital thread challenges of industrial companies. The participants’ shared objective was to understand the needs and opportunities within industry that will inform digital thread solution strategies and roadmaps. CIMdata was responsible for project management and creating project artifacts.
The project used two methods to gather information: subject matter expert (a.k.a. domain expert) interviews and an online survey. The primary information source for analysis and reporting was the set of responses to the web-based survey. Survey respondents represented a broad community, and the responses, as answers to a set of closed-ended questions, lend themselves to statistical analysis. The responses to each question are summarized in charts or graphs. The range of survey responses to each question are compared to the subject matter expert interview responses to that question, and any significant differences are assessed. At the end of the report, CIMdata offers summary observations for consideration by the AD PAG members and the PLM solution provider sponsors.
Commenting on the research findings, James Roche, CIMdata’s Aerospace & Defense Practice Director, says, “We know that investment in digital thread today is real and substantial, and the level of investment will continue to rise. That reality positions digital thread as an emerging strategic opportunity within the PLM ecosystem. Investing effectively in solution development as a software provider or solution implementation as an industrial user requires insight into current state enablers, barriers, and future investment drivers.”
The 48-page Digital Thread Collaborative Research report is available for free download at https://www.cimdata.com/en/aerospace-and-defense/publications/digtaltwin-digitalthread.
