Project Schedule Management Synchronization (PSMS)

Task and Objective

Efficient coordination processes for project schedule management (PSM), i.e. scheduling and managing projects, make an important contribution to the optimization of collaborative PLM processes. The more complex collaboration networks and the products to be developed are, the more important efficient methods for PSM synchronization (PSMS) across departmental and company boundaries become. The objective of the PSMS project group is to develop standardized communication modules based on the STEP AP242 Domain Object Model.

The modules listed in the PSMS recommendation (PSI 25) are IT independent, support both conventional and agile methods, and can for example be implemented via the asynchronous exchange of schedules or in shared applications via portal services or cloud solutions. They ensure stable and efficient processes across all disciplines and between the different ecosystems maintained by the partners (OEMs, suppliers).

Focus and concrete results

Last year, the user companies and IT vendors in the project group defined test scenarios and test data for synchronizing project master data and milestones and launched their implementation. At the same time, they coordinated and specified in greater detail the next, functional phases of expansion for synchronizing entire process structures and the links to the objects and deliverables affected. This also makes it possible to expand product data management to include the process-related artifacts needed for schedule management.

The PSMS Implementor Forum (IF) serves as a neutral platform for testing and the exchange of information and experience. For the first time, the test scenarios and test data provide references to the vendors, thus making it possible for them to develop new PSM interfaces based on STEP technology and the AP242. The approved PSI 25 Version 1.0 provides a coordinated set of rules for the functional and procedural design of system-specific interfaces. Feedback from the pilot projects will be incorporated in PSI 25 as improvements and will be published in the next version of PSI 25.

Organizational and technical challenges

In 2022, the many outside influences that resulted in cutbacks in ongoing projects, changes to priorities and to available resources posed a particular challenge to user companies and vendors. This has repeatedly led to uncertainties and hindrances in the PSMS project. The technical challenge in PSMS implementation projects is the fact that the companies involved are breaking new ground in project schedule management by making use of the STEP AP242 reference model.

Planning for the current year 2023

In the current year, the project group will continue to work on the implementation and testing of the scope of PSI 25 V1.0 and gain initial experience. This will be used to update the PSMS best practices. At the same time, the project group is aiming to expand the set of rules, recommendations and PSMS reference model to include the planned scope for synchronizing entire process structures as well as the links to the objects and deliverables affected in version 2.0.

What the project coordinator says:

"Despite adverse conditions, we were able to ensure the continuity of the PSMS project in 2022 and achieve further, significant intermediate results. This includes, first and foremost, the coordination and implementation of test scenarios for synchronizing project master data and milestones."

What the project manager says:

"From a user perspective, we would like to see initial implementations of the PSMS recommendations in 2023, so that we can put what we have formulated in theory to the test in practice. The tests are intended to improve the suitability of PSI 25 for use in practice."