Establishing effective Product Data Management: the lifeblood of any complex engineering programme

An unprecedented level of innovation — with familiar problems getting products to market

Decarbonisation and other major disruptors of the global economy are driving an unprecedented level of new, advanced product development and introduction. But 90% of such programmes run late and over budget, through lack of early visibility on critical-path items — delayed or misaligned by poor and incomplete product data. It's typically not the product technology itself that's the problem. It's the ability to realise the product in an increasingly complex business environment.

The adverse business and operational impacts are substantial

The financial impact of timeline slippage — delayed revenue, incremental programme cost from slippage itself, material wastage, and quality failure — adds up quickly. The operational impact is just as significant: incorrect or wrong-specification parts causing constant firefighting, reduced productivity, extensive rework, immense frustration, and high stress levels across the engineering teams.

The urgent need for effective PDM

Organisations that can get their products to market faster, better prepared, and more efficiently will clearly be the winners. That requires agile, robust PLM and NPD processes underpinned by best-practice product data management. Effective PDM is the lifeblood of any complex engineering programme.

QR_ is focused on solving this problem

QR_ is uniquely focused on this work — connecting the silos to create timely, accurate, human-centric information flows. The result: global leadership in PDM and the ability to tackle what is, for most clients, a mission-critical issue.

We're like consultants, but better. We're analysts, project managers, technical wizards, and communication experts — but most of all, we're thinkers and doers who solve complex problems, propose smart solutions, and then back up the words with actions.

The positive impact we have is substantial

We give time back to engineers so they can focus on engineering. We reduce the cost impact of out-of-specification materials and quality failures. We avoid the programme-cost implications of timeline slippage. We enable clients to get their products to market on time — or ahead of time — so they can be commercialised as quickly and successfully as possible. And we establish and train new PDM disciplines, so those benefits are secured for the long term.

The business case is usually very compelling

QR_ brings extensive codified best practice

Our approach is practical and hands-on. Years of practical experience tell us that systems alone don't deliver effective PDM enablement of NPD and PLM processes. That requires careful planning, product understanding, specific PDM expertise, attention to detail, and close teamwork. For that reason we aren't just an extension of our client's team — our PLM and PDM professionals become an integral part of it. That integration is a prerequisite for realising the outcomes our clients rightly demand.

We're respectful but bold, candid and constructively provocative — we only challenge (and succeed) with facts and data. We prove ourselves quickly by resolving urgent data problems fast, mitigating programme delays and risk. Through that, we build confidence and form strong working relationships with our clients at every level — serving as their trusted adviser and delivery partner. Bringing order to data and processes also reduces problem levels, frustration, and stress — and creates a better working environment for everyone.

The capabilities we bring are based on practical skills, extensive experience, proven methods, and supporting digital tools. Extensive, codified best-practice operating models and tried-and-tested training enable us to transfer knowledge rapidly, deliver at pace, fix distressed programmes, and establish effective NPD and PDM capabilities that our clients can build on. Our PDM Academy and professional qualification represent important foundational capabilities for many of our clients.

Successful adoption of PLM and PDM solutions

We are not a software solution provider. But we can make a major positive impact on the successful adoption of PLM software solutions — by establishing the process disciplines, role clarity, skills, and performance metrics necessary to embed new ways of working. That makes QR_ a natural and independent partner to software providers and their clients alike.

A role at the heart of the greening of the global economy

Our clients are making major commitments to make their organisations, products, and services more sustainable. Product sustainability starts with the Bill of Materials — and with the integrity of the product data that allows environmental and societal impact to be traced back to source and measured. QR_ has a pivotal role to play at the heart of the greening of the global economy, across Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Energy, Rail, and Robotics.

QR_: your future data management partner

We'd be delighted to be the product data management partner that brings order to your data and processes — and helps you bring advanced engineered products to market faster, more efficiently, and with less risk. We can apply our estimator to your major programmes to quantify the value you might be leaving on the table.