Introducing an entirely new dimension in state of the art technology and methodology for the Configuration Management discipline - an exciting new book for the Configuration Management Professional:

TRANSPARENT CM

Craig Senior  -  'Insight' Reviews

Implementing a Product Data Management (PDM) system is a foray into complexity for which most organisations and people are unprepared. Throwing the latest feature-rich technical fad at old business problems with glassy-eyed, optimistic zeal, later blaming any failure on “circumstances beyond our control”, and moving laterally into the next project assignment is slowly losing its appeal. Even information technology practitioners are catching on to the woes of their ways, but you’d be hard pressed to get one to admit it.

Transparent Configuration Management delivers some great lessons, of which these are but a few:

1) There is a DNA-like, intertwined relationship between quality and Configuration Management.

2) The shortest route to implement a complex system is to do it right the first time. The only short cut is to take no short cuts.

3) Automating Configuration Management and making it more transparent is becoming a competitive advantage like 'supply chain management' and 'just in time'.

4) Aim to make the process steps transparent and efficient for users; they do the right things right using the fastest, easiest method and might not know it.

Transparent Configuration Management is the essential guide to implementing a PDM system. It presents a practical process, a methodology for implementation, supplemented by checklists and templates. It sets the reader’s foundation with the common, traditional definitions of configuration management (CM). It takes us on a brief, often entertaining stroll through the history of Configuration Management. Then it asks you to ask yourself what you really need to do with this thing. What are your requirements for a PDM system? What information must you capture, manage, and use? Who authorizes product changes and how are those changes documented, communicated, and controlled? Much of this data is required regardless of whether you use a PDM system or what PDM system you choose.

After that you are guided through PDM-specific functions to analyze the degree to which the PDM system satisfies your requirements, off-the shelf. It guides you through PDM system evaluation, using extensive checklists that you can readily apply. Finally, it brings you through implementation and integration with other subsystems. Obviously, the book could not consider all the technical issues of every reader, but the principals are firmly in place. Very useful was the PDM Project Schedule that you could transcribe as the basis for your schedule.

Transparent Configuration Management presents guidance for overcoming resistance to PDM and Configuration Management in general. It presents Configuration Management best practices geared towards Dept of Defence contracting, but you can easily read through this and apply the material to any organization.

Transparent Configuration Management is the essential guide for anyone considering a PDM implementation, any Configuration Management practitioner, quality practitioner, or anyone involved in managing design and manufacture. David Lyon clearly demonstrates that he’s been there and he’s packed a lifetime of experience into this very important book.

 

TRANSPARENT CM

Mike Tarrani - Amazon.com Reviews

Mr. Lyon's earlier book, "Practical CM" (ISBN 0966124820) is the foundation of this work, which extends the approach - in the author's own words - to '[Presenting] unique methodology for a successful evolution from today's CM practices to best CM practices, then on to the implementation of a truly automated CM system in order to reach the ultimate goal of transparent CM.'

This book accomplishes that goal in every respect. After a chapter giving an overview of CM, the seeds of this approach are planted in the chapter titled, "Transition From Current CM Practices to Best CM Practices".

A clear approach, based on the product data management approach within the CM   discipline, is given. Included are a distilled list of best practices, and flow charts of the associated process. Chapters 3 and 4 cover a proposed PDM system in   great depth. The requirements are outlined in sufficient detail to both gain a full understanding of the scope of the system, as well as to layout a fairly high-level system diagram if you were to build such a system in-house. Since building a system is probably not cost-effective for most organizations, Chapter 5 extends the requirements by giving advice on how to evaluate tools and vendors, and to select the best solution within constraints.

Chapters 6 and 7 describe the evolution from automated CM to transparent CM, which is the focus of the book. These are followed up with a final chapter that ties up loose ends by addressing the people dimension. Appendices A (List of Best Practices) and B CM Plan outline are invaluable, as are the documents on the accompanying CD ROM.

This is an outstanding book for advanced CM practitioners, especially those who have read and liked the author's earlier book, and/or those who are seeking to improve an existing, stable CM process.

NOTE: Mr. Lyon spent much of his thirty-nine years in industry as a Project Engineer and Program Manager (see Lyon Bio). During his early years, he observed how integral Configuration Management was to the successful operation of any project or program. As a result, he became more interested in and involved with the Configuration Management discipline. He proceeded to develop and enhance existing Configuration Management processes, both manual and automated (PDM/PLM systems), and developed a universal, generic 'best CM practices' methodology in conjunction with other members of the international CM community.

REAL-WORLD PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Michael Appleton - 'Insight' Reviews

This book provides an overall, 'real' description of project management from the 'coal-face'. Its target audience, the Project Engineer, certainly needs an easy-to-read, ready reference in this complex and critical area. Quite often, the engineer faces this management task on his or her own and without the benefit of education, training or experience. On occasion, the engineer reports to a Project or Program Manager whose time is usually consumed with the 'programmatics'; so the Project Engineer must have a sound foundation in these matters.

The book describes how the Project Engineer may deal with all matters arising from the project's lifecycle: from before contract award to project closeout. This challenging task is met in overview and comes with a series of worthwhile templates to be used during various stages in the project lifecycle.

What is described is good material. I particularly liked the description of best practices in the appropriate sections. These lessons are good – ones that project engineers and project managers alike ought to heed. The figures used are helpful to the message that the author wishes to get across.

The work that has been done in putting this book together is good; but it does not describe the complete story of project management -- few single publications are able to do this effectively. As such, it should be read in conjunction with other references in this area. There are some very worthwhile ideas contained in the best practices sections as well as some useful points contained in the body of the text. Many of these lessons are classic ones; yet are all too often needlessly re-learned. A new Project Engineer would do well by learning these lessons from 'Practical Project' rather than through experience.

 

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