Behovsstudie för implementering av ett informationshanteringssystem i el-utvecklingen på Volvo Car Corporation
VSEM project and the need for a more efficient way of handling requirements andinformation are highly apparent.The overall objective of this thesis is divided into two parts:1. To identify criteria/factors leading to a successful introduction of an informationmanagement system.2. To develop an implementation process for a requirement management system ?the first step towards a PLM system in EE development at VCC.This will be done through interviews with employees, a literature review and an analysisof studies of three earlier projects within VCC.The conclusion of this study shows the great need for change in work methods fordesigners handling information and requirements. An implementation process has beenidentified with guidelines on how to handle different phases of the process. Consequently,a process has been developed and as such, factors leading to success and criteria for amore successful changeover have been definedThis is a Master of Science thesis commissioned by Volvo Car Corporation (VCC) inGothenburg, Sweden. The author, Sara Molneryd, is a student at the Royal Institute ofTechnology (KTH) in Stockholm. The work was performed during autumn 2006 in thedepartment of Electrical & Electronics Systems Engineering (EE development) at VCC.VCC is today a part of the company Ford Motor Company (FMC). FMC is a multinationalco-operation between Ford Europe, Ford North America, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda andVolvo Car Corporation. This co-operation has established new kinds of requirementsconsidering the need for a competitive and complex system solution for all employees atFMC.The focus for this thesis is the implementation process of a requirement managementsystem (RM system), which is the first step toward an information management system(Product Lifecycle Management system (PLM system)) at FMC, and factors contributing tothe successful implementation of this project. This thesis is limited to the department ofElectrical & Electronics Systems Engineering at VCC only, which, as mentioned, is a partof FMC. The definition for PLM is as follows:?Product lifecycle management is an integrated, information-driven approach to allaspects of a product's life - from its design inception through its manufacture,deployment and maintenance, culminating in its removal from service and finaldisposal?.[PLM Development Consortium, University of Michigan, 2007]The demands of an information management system, such as a PLM system are immensein the automotive industry. Designers within EE development at VCC currently work withtextual documents when managing requirements and other types of product information.This is time-consuming and inefficient. There is a great need of change from the manualwork procedure into a computerised environment. During 2006, a global project calledVSEM was begun at VCC with the intention of developing support tools and methods fordesigners within EE development at FMC. Implementing a new IT system within FMC is adifficult and complex process. It is hard to manage a global project, such as VehicleSystems Engineering Management (VSEM), as it involves so many people who work withthe implementation process. Employees within FMC have high expectations from the