ANN ARBOR, Michigan, USA 19 May 2021—CIMdata, Inc., the leading global PLM strategic management consulting and research firm, announces the publication of a new white paper that describes the rationale, feasibility, and potential benefits of applying agile approaches to Aerospace & Defense (A&D) product development. The paper outlines the driving characteristics of A&D product development, an overview of an agile product development approach, an illustrative example of how one company applied agile development in A&D, and how Siemens Digital Industry Software’s technology and solutions enable this approach.
A&D products and systems are extremely complex, have long service lives, and must function in a wide range of harsh and demanding environments. These products and systems generally push the boundaries of available technology and design in the areas of materials, electronics, software, functionality, speed, fluid flow, etc. Additionally, many A&D products are highly regulated and often subject to extreme operating conditions where any type of product failure could lead to catastrophic consequences. Because of this range of complexity, A&D development cycles have evolved to be formal (e.g., using major stage gates in a waterfall development paradigm) and drawn out. The United States DoD has recognized the need for accelerated and incremental development and acquisition processes and is now implementing a paradigm shifting initiative to achieve those goals.
Mr. Ken Amann, Executive Consultant, CIMdata, stated that “To improve their development processes, A&D companies need to undergo a digital transformation in process definition, enablement, and execution. Traditional product development paradigms are being replaced by a more modern, agile approach that offers greater flexibility and more responsiveness as mission scope and market demands change. Agile development is an iterative and incremental process that is responsive to change and is designed to reduce the overall cost and timeline of development. The Siemens Product Design and Engineering digital thread solution for A&D includes the tools and technologies needed to assist A&D companies transitioning to a more digitalized process and establishing a more agile product development environment to address the complexities and challenges of today.”
Please download and read the complete white paper at https://www.cimdata.com/en/resources/complimentary-reports-research/white-papers.
