Imagine designing a ship with hundreds of documents full of requirements, drawings, and specifications. How do you keep an overview of this mass of information? This is where the power of data-driven requirements management comes into play. By managing requirements based on data, documents are generated automatically, making the process not only efficient but also future-proof. In this article, we will explore how this works.
The current status of requirements management: a complex and inefficient system
So, what is the state of requirements management in the maritime sector? In many maritime companies, it is common to document requirements and specifications in Word and Excel files. These documents often contain hundreds of references to other documents that must be manually updated with each change. This creates a situation where important links and references are easily overlooked.
Research shows that up to 30% of the links in requirements management can disappear, with all the consequences that entails. Managing this complex network of documents and references surpasses human capacity, leading to inefficiencies and errors. This is further elaborated in this video. Yet, the focus in maritime companies is increasingly on good document management. So, what can be improved?
Why data-driven requirements management?
A data-driven approach to requirements management offers a promising alternative. By digitalizing and centralizing requirements and specifications in an advanced data management system such as Shipbuilder, we can automatically generate documents that are always up-to-date. Such a system can easily monitor and maintain connections and relationships between data, something traditional methods fall short of. With this method, you reverse the order of your work. Instead of processing words in files, you start with processing data (such as requirements) in an organized system. Then you automatically generate the necessary documents.
For example, Ulstein, a leading company in the maritime sector, has successfully implemented a data-driven approach. By using our platform, they are able to complete design processes up to four times faster and with 100% reliability. Their approach ensures that all data is continuously synchronized and updated, resulting in consistent and accurate documentation.
Ulstein as a maritime example: faster and better processes
Ulstein’s experience shows that digitalization and a data-driven approach not only improve the speed of processes but also increase the accuracy and reliability of generated documentation. Their approach drastically reduces the number of errors and misunderstandings arising from outdated or incorrect documentation. Moreover, using a central data platform makes it possible to effortlessly manage and maintain complex relationships and references between data. And 100% of all changes are also traceable.
The benefits of this truly digital approach are clear: reduced lead times, lower costs, and higher quality of the end product. By basing requirements management on data instead of documents, it becomes possible to always have the most current and relevant information available. This ensures a smoother and more efficient design process, significantly reducing the chance of errors.
Broader application possibilities
The maritime sector can greatly benefit from digitalization. It’s not just about keeping track of requirements but also about improving the overall efficiency of shipbuilding projects. Digitalization makes it possible to store and manage data as a single source of truth, making it easily accessible to all parties involved. This reduces the chance of miscommunication and errors and ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget. As Ulstein has shown, data processes during ship design can be significantly accelerated by using digital technologies. This results in faster lead times and higher productivity.
Data-driven requirements management: how to start right the first time
If you are now enthusiastic and ready to Google ‘requirements management software,’ read these tips first. It is essential to invest in the right technology and systems with a maritime background. These must be able to centrally manage maritime data, automatically generate documentation, and thoroughly understand a maritime project. Realize that requirements management software that integrates with, for example, the ship’s configuration (Model Based Systems Engineering) and document management has much-added value. It is also important to train staff in using this new technology. This will make the transition smoother and ensure that everyone in the company can benefit and perhaps even become an ambassador of this new method.
Data-driven requirements management as a maritime future perspective
Data-driven requirements management is a must if you want to increase reliability, reduce costs, and get the most out of your smart people. It is the innovative move for any company dealing with complex documentation processes. By leveraging the power of data, companies like Ulstein can work faster, more efficiently, and more accurately. Document control becomes an automatic result of a well-set-up requirements management system, leading to fewer errors and higher productivity. Indeed, a smart move.
