Implementation framework for PLM: a case study in the fashion industry

Abstract

The implementation of a PLM is a great process of change, representing a critical phase due to the inertia that characterizes some organizations. This evidence especially occurs in industry new to PLM, such as the fashion one, where a lack of clear guidelines for implementation significantly increases the risk of failure of that process. In addition, an adequate project management approach that actively includes final users during the whole process will avoid the mismatch between outcomes and requirements. To support an efficient and effective introduction of PLM, it is then important to define a structured implementation method that involves all interested users from the early stages. A literature review has been conducted as preliminary step to investigate if bottom-up approaches to PLM implementation in fashion industry have already been studied. Based on the evidences from literature review, a framework was therefore defined, detailing the step-by-step procedure to follow for effectively implement a PLM considering the peculiarities of the fashion industry. To give evidence of the applicability of the proposed framework, it has been successfully used during the implementation process of a PLM software in a real context. The Italian company involved in the case study, Graziella, belongs to the gold-working district of Arezzo, in Tuscany, and has been working for more than 60 years in the gold jewellery sector.

Product development, fashion buying and merchandising

“…Nevertheless, the use of digital technology in the back end (operations side) of this industry is still in its infancy (Arribas & Alfaro, 2018). Although product-lifecycle-management software is utilised by some fashion retailers, and is the subject of much academic research (Ameri & Dutta, 2005;Conlon, 2020;D'Amico, Giustiniano, Nenni, & Pirolo, 2013;D'Avolio et al, 2014D'Avolio et al, , 2015Fani et al, 2021;Kaur & Sharm, 2011;Nyffenegger, Rios, Rivest, & Bouras, 2020;Segonds, Mantelet, Maranzana, & Gaillard, 2014;Segonds, Mantelet, Nelson, & Gaillard, 2015), there is still a long way to go before industrywide adoption and integration of these digitised systems occurs. There are now other digital technologies that are starting to be taken seriously within the industry to streamline processes, support sustainability and reduce costs and time.…”

“…This tool allows companies to create and update a unique archive that contains all the information related to the products, avoiding the proliferation of data. It facilitates collaboration and real-time sharing of updated information along the entire supply chain (Fani et al, 2021). The benefits of PLM are clear, but it is a process of change that is not always easy to implement, often being timeconsuming and leading to inefficiencies if not well-managed (Conlon, 2020;D'Avolio et al, 2015;Fani et al, 2021;Vezzetti, Alemanni, & Macheda, 2015).…”

“…It facilitates collaboration and real-time sharing of updated information along the entire supply chain (Fani et al, 2021). The benefits of PLM are clear, but it is a process of change that is not always easy to implement, often being timeconsuming and leading to inefficiencies if not well-managed (Conlon, 2020;D'Avolio et al, 2015;Fani et al, 2021;Vezzetti, Alemanni, & Macheda, 2015). Due to the challenges with adoption of PLM systems, Vezzetti, Alemanni and Macheda (2015) and Fani et al (2021) developed frameworks to support implementation of a PLM system in the fashion industry, as illustrated in Figure 60.…”

“…The benefits of PLM are clear, but it is a process of change that is not always easy to implement, often being timeconsuming and leading to inefficiencies if not well-managed (Conlon, 2020;D'Avolio et al, 2015;Fani et al, 2021;Vezzetti, Alemanni, & Macheda, 2015). Due to the challenges with adoption of PLM systems, Vezzetti, Alemanni and Macheda (2015) and Fani et al (2021) developed frameworks to support implementation of a PLM system in the fashion industry, as illustrated in Figure 60. Whilst there are challenges, it is well recognised that PLM provides fashion retailers with the ability to achieve operational excellence through the creation of new work practices and business processes, and additionally provides a strategic platform for future change, enabling a more sustainable and consumer-centric offer to be created (Conlon, 2020).…”

“…As the primary objectives for most fashion retailers are sustainability coupled with consumer demands, it would seem logical to utilise technology to support this consideration Figure 60. Implementation framework for PLM (Fani et al, 2021).…”