MBD is a Process, Not a Product

In this episode we talk with Chad Jackson of Lifecyle Insights to clear up some misconceptions around model based definition (MBD) and model based enterprise (MBE). The biggest thing to remember is that MBD and MBE isn’t a “thing” or a “product” – you can’t just say “let’s do MBD” or ask a services company “can you do MBD?” It’s a process, and when done properly, companies can see tremendous benefits to productivity and the bottom line. “There's all sorts of kind of levels of maturity. But let me step back and talk about misconceptions. I think in the industry, we have talked about going drawingless for real long time. I mean, this is a concept that started even 20 years ago, is when we started talking about that idea. I think it's a good vision. I think the idea that you can jump directly from using a 2D drawing as the authoritative source that defines the design, jumping from that to a 3D model that's fully annotated and not taking steps in between. I think that's a misconception. I just don't see a lot of companies doing that. There are intermediate steps kind of in between. Also, I think there's a misconception perhaps that the idea that you have to get to a 3D model plus an annotation is a false one as well. You need to progress as far down the path towards that to where you get value out of it as a company. While vision is good, ultimately you have to reap benefit, it has to make an impact in efficiency or hard dollars. I think that's really, really important. But in terms of progression, you start off with a drawing. You can have the model and the drawing and maybe not have them connected because you're going to need to design a mold using the 3D model. You're not going to really use a drawing to do that today. There's the concept of using associated models and drawings that you make a change in one place, it ripples to the other. Then kind of the next level of progression is going to that model with annotations with the drawing and then without a drawing. There's multiple steps. You get to figure out where you're going to get the most value.” – Chad Jackson To learn more about Chad’s research, visit LifeCycle Insights at: http://www.lifecycleinsights.com THE ROI OF MBD STUDY http://www.lifecycleinsights.com/study/the-design-and-documentation-study/ Listen to the podcast, and let us know what you think!