How do you handle ECN's that Require Tooling changes?

[MikeLockwood]

The fundamental issue: Does change management cover the defining product data only, or also physical items?

Every successful change management system must somehow address physical items, but the key for Windchill administration is where does a change end in Windchill, and how do people get notified that they need to address physical things, etc. (is this done via Windchill or other).

Seems that the most logical way to handle is:

- Change management in Windchill addresses data only

- Each Windchill change needs to be somehow communicated to the business system (SAP, etc.)

- The business system needs to be used to manage assignments, etc. for handling physical items, which may include

But - we know that people handle this in many very different ways. Interested in the opinions of others on this and how others handle it.

[ColinBull]

At Thales we have deplyed our windchill solution and this does infact include the ability to configure an As Built and As Maintained configured structure, i.e. Physical Items. Therefore any changes in the ECR stage can be analysed for the impact to the as Designed configuration, but also every physical instance of that product in the field can be assessed for cost and planning. The change administrator can then assign tasks from Windchill for the Physical Instance in the field to be retrofited or repaired to the latest standard.

This is all managed within the Windchill system. Hope that gives some insight.