Successful change management in retail PLM projects: A complete guide and concrete examples

Introduction

In the retail world, effective product lifecycle management is a strategic lever for meeting consumer expectations, optimizing costs and accelerating time-to-market. Companies are therefore increasingly adopting PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) solutions to centralize and automate their processes.

However, implementing PLM involves major organizational changes, affecting design, purchasing, production, quality and marketing teams alike. Change management is therefore a key success factor in ensuring effective adoption of the new tool.

In this article, we'll explore the specifics of PLM solutions for retail, detail best practices for change management, and present concrete examples of retailers who have successfully transformed their business thanks to PLM.

1. PLM challenges in the retail sector

The retail sector faces several major challenges:

• Shorter product life cycles: trends evolve rapidly, forcing brands to innovate constantly.
• Increased complexity of supply chains: between suppliers, regulations and inventory management, coordination is essential.
• Growing consumer expectations in terms of transparency and quality: they want to know where products come from and how they are made.
• Fierce competition: retailers need to maximize efficiency to stay competitive.

PLM software addresses these challenges by optimizing product data management, facilitating collaboration between departments and accelerating development processes.

2. The specifics of PLM solutions for retail

Unlike PLMs used in the manufacturing industry, Retail PLMs have specific functionalities tailored to the needs of brands and retailers:

2.1. Centralized management of product information

Retail PLM enables all product information to be stored and shared in real time:

• Technical data sheets (composition, colors, dimensions, materials).
• Compliance documents (standards, certifications).
• Costs and suppliers.

This guarantees a single, reliable view of data, essential for avoiding errors and reducing time-to-market.

2.2. Smooth collaboration between teams

In the retail sector, numerous departments are involved in the development of a product before it goes to market. A Retail PLM facilitates their coordination by offering functionalities such as :

• Automated workflow to validate each stage of product development.
• Collaborative spaces where designers, product managers and supply chain teams can exchange ideas.
• Track changes to avoid inconsistencies.

2.3. Better management of suppliers and production

Retailers work with numerous suppliers, often located in different countries. Retail PLM helps standardize procurement processes and better manage product compliance.

By integrating with ERP systems, companies can also optimize inventory management and reduce the risk of stock-outs or overproduction.

3. Managing change in a Retail PLM project: best practices

The integration of a PLM system entails an overhaul of work processes, which can provoke internal resistance. To make this transition a success, here are the main stages in change management.

3.1 Create a clear vision and strategy

Before deploying a PLM system, it is essential to define the project's objectives:

• Improve product quality and conformity.
• Accelerate development and reduce time-to-market.
• Standardize processes within the company.

This vision needs to be shared with all stakeholders to encourage buy-in to change.

3.2 Involving employees from the outset

Successful adoption requires team involvement from the earliest stages of the project. Here are a few levers:

• Set up a steering committee with representatives from the main departments concerned.
• Identify ambassadors who will test the solution and support their colleagues.
• Organize co-creation sessions to gather expectations and adjust PLM settings.

3.3 Focus on training and support

One of the major obstacles to PLM adoption is the perceived complexity of the tool. It is therefore crucial to :

• Offer interactive training based on "learning by doing".
• Implement integrated digital guides to support users in real time.
• Provide responsive and accessible support to answer questions.

Using a digital adoption platform, such as those offered by Knowmore, facilitates this transition by providing ongoing support for users.

3.4. Continuous monitoring and adjustment

Change management doesn't stop with PLM deployment. It is important to :

• Monitor adoption indicators (usage rate, number of errors reduced, user feedback).
• Gather feedback from teams on a regular basis and adjust training programs if necessary.
• Promote successes by highlighting the tangible benefits of PLM.

4. Examples of successful PLM projects in retail

Many retailers have already taken the plunge and successfully adopted PLM solutions.

4.1. Tesco: better product data management

The British retail giant has integrated a Centric Software PLM to improve the management of its product references. Results:

• Reduced errors and inconsistencies in product data sheets.
• Better tracking of development cycles.
• Acceleration of new product launches.

4.2. Siplec (E.Leclerc): optimizing purchasing processes

E.Leclerc subsidiary Siplec has chosen Centric PLM to structure its sourcing and supply chain management. Thanks to this project, the company has :

• Improved transparency with suppliers.
• Accelerated product validation processes.
• Reduces operating costs.

4.3. Balabala: rapid deployment for a children's fashion brand

A leader in children's ready-to-wear in China, Balabala implemented a PLM dedicated to retail to structure its rapid growth. The results were immediate:

• A 25% increase in operating efficiency.
• Reduced production times.
• Improved collaboration between design and logistics teams.

Conclusion

Implementing a Retail PLM is a strategic transformation that improves product management, accelerates innovation and boosts retailer competitiveness.

However, to guarantee the success of this type of project, change management is essential. A structured approach, combined with digital adoption tools, ensures a smooth transition and lasting adoption by teams.

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