Product Life Cycle Data Management: A Cross-Sectoral Review

Abstract

Abstract. The paper explores data management in the product life cycle of three engineering domains -civil/construction, marine and wind energy -each with distinct but potentially common issues. The approach has been to assess issues within each domain against the life cycle stages defined in ISO 15288 "Systems and software engineering -System life cycle processes", i.e., Concept, Development, Utilisation, Support and Retirement. These were then assimilated and comparisons drawn to identify common problems and areas that appear particular to the do-main. The paper presents a position statement, taken from the experience of practitioners in each of the relevant sectors; the purpose is to understand if there may be opportunities for cross-sectoral learning.Keywords: Information management, Lifecycle, Civil, Marine, Wind. IntroductionThe management of engineering data for the operation and maintenance of large complex artefacts such as ships, buildings and power generation systems is very challenging owing to the long life spans, multiplicity of stakeholders, diversity of data types and complexity of interactions in the artefacts and supporting systems. This paper explores these challenges and in particular makes a cross-sectoral analysis of issues across three distinct engineering domains: construction and civil engineering, marine (UK Defence) and renewable energy (offshore wind). Initial comparison of the domains would indicate a number of similarities, e.g., complexity, capital investment, but none-the-less significant differences exist, in business/engineering maturity and structure of the supporting industry, which have strong implications for data management approaches in each domain. The purpose of the paper was to explore opportunities for engineering communities to share good practice with others and identify issues which are still to be resolved across all engineering sectors. BackgroundThe three sectors under study are construction/civil engineering, marine and wind energy. Each is characterised by large, long-lived artefacts and by distributed operations, but there are differences, especially in the nature of the industries.

Performance assessment of wind turbine gearboxes using in-service data: Current approaches and future trends

“…These challenges also affect manual service data collection for WTs as observed by Ford et al [25] and Hameed et al [30]. This article does not seek to address these challenges, as it is beyond its scope.…”

“…However, there are some basic parameters which when recorded in specific intervals, can be correlated with CMS or SCADA data to give an indication on the deterioration of the gearbox. In the context of knowledge and information management and in-service knowledge feedback, antecedent literature including the likes of Goh and McMahon [41], Ford et al [25], McMahon and Ball [42] and Igba et al [26] have been reviewed to identify the key issues with data management; and manual monitoring does not shy away from such issues. In fact, because it is mainly humans that are involved the process of manual monitoring, the process is therefore prone to certain challenges.…”

“…In fact, because it is mainly humans that are involved the process of manual monitoring, the process is therefore prone to certain challenges. Some of the issues with manual codification of data identified in literature [25,26,[41][42][43] include:…”

Knowledge Management: A Cross Sectorial Comparison of Wind Generation and Naval Engineering

“…Ford et al [17] previously identified that the major challenges the wind industry face in life cycle KM are observed during the in-service stage. However, to build upon this and expand further, a brief review of the state-of-the-art of in-service KM in the offshore wind sector would be done.…”

“…When service personnel eventual have access to the turbines there is then the inability to complete maintenance records within the turbine due to safety concerns and space limitations [17]. Hence, technicians who keep record of maintenance activities and inspections may have to result to other means like taking photographs and then completing the reports after leaving the turbine.…”