Could PLM have prevented the Toyota fiasco?

[Omaha Steve]

Run time: 04:54 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQzpwTOGuGE   Posted on YouTube: April 26, 2010 By YouTube Member: Verkstadsforum Views on YouTube: 42   Posted on DU: April 27, 2010 By DU Member: Omaha Steve Views on DU: 392

 
http://www.reliableplant.com/View/24251/PLM-prevent-Toyota-fiasco

The sticky accelerator has caused a mountain of problems for Toyota. Only a year ago, a Toyota product was known for quality, lean production and technology leadership. All that has changed and the tough inplications for the company has escaped nobody. But today, it also raises questions on the roles of PLM and simulation systems. PLM TV News has talked to industry analyst Joe Barkai, IDC Manufacturing InSights; Jim Heppelmann, chief operating officer, PTC; and Helmuth Ludwig, president of Siemens PLM Software.

Access this 4-minute, 54-second video by clicking on the link below.

[scentopine]

1. Doubt it very much

Toyota was under intense pressure to overtake GM - to meet this goal they actually hired GM & detroit managers and strategy types to help develop a more American car. In the process, they adopted Detroit's aggressive cost cutting and component reuse models.

We are talking about a mechanical linkage that for the most part (except Audi?) has worked perfectly well for about 100 years. The theory is that once you get past the phenomenally high cost of embedded software development, the recurring cost of a wire harness and simple sensor on the accelerator is much lower than a fully mechanical throttle. i.e. autos with fly-by-wire. One can imagine steering linkage eventually being replaced by small servo motors on each wheel.

The embedded software business is full of risk and expense and practices vary all over the map. I have some experience in this area and software and engineering in general is now a full-time fight with managers who make inhuman demands of their staff to meet a quarterly profit objective.

Engineering is a shitty business. You are literally a piece of meat. You study your ass off, work your ass off, and chances are you'll get laid off by some dickhead MBA who only managed to pass because his frat house had a file cabinet filled with old tests which he crammed in between benders. TOday's engineering manager simply does not have the technical skills to make good decisions.

You can't simulate your way to changing management attitudes and employing common sense.