Integrated ALM & PLM for Automotive Safety

Summary

CTE, a provider of safety-critical instrument cluster products for the automotive industry, partnered with TT PSC to implement PTC Codebeamer ALM and upgrade to PTC Windchill PLM. They needed to introduce ALM, upgrade PLM, and integrate them for a complete V-Model development framework from requirements to testing. The implementation enables seamless collaboration between hardware and software teams, ensures compliance with critical safety standards, and significantly enhances product quality and traceability.

Business Challenges

CTE faced multiple challenges in its product development process:

Fragmented development workflow: Software and hardware teams were working in partially disconnected systems, limiting collaboration and traceability.
Regulatory compliance: As instrument clusters are safety-critical, strict adherence to standards like ISO 26262 and ISO 21434 was essential.
Inefficient project management: Document creation, reporting, and engineering resource tracking were time-consuming and lacked transparency.
Data inconsistency: Multiple versions of documents and CAD files created risk of errors in design and production.
Limited flexibility: Existing tools did not support customizable workflows, templates, or role-based security controls effectively.

CTE needed an integrated system that could support the full V Model development process from customer requirements to testing and verification, while improving efficiency, quality, and compliance.

Solutions

TT PSC implemented a two-phase approach:

Phase 1 – ALM Implementation (PTC Codebeamer)

Migrated customer requirements and specifications into the ALM system.
Conduct requirements analysis, expand task tracking, establish test planning and defect/issue management mechanisms, and fully support the V-Model.
Created transparency across ongoing projects and improved traceability for regulatory audits.

Phase 2 – PLM Upgrade (PTC Windchill)

Replaced and enhanced the legacy PLM system with modules for CAD document management, project and development management, part/BOM and part number management, change management
Reviewed and redesigned workflows and user operations for efficiency.
Integrated ALM and PLM data to ensure a single source of truth across software and hardware teams.

TT PSC’s approach combined technical expertise, a “project example” methodology, and competitive pricing, enabling a smooth implementation and strong foundation for future collaboration.

Main Benefits and Results

The integrated ALM and PLM systems delivered measurable improvements:

Enhanced product quality: Full V Model framework ensures robust software and hardware verification, meeting ISO 26262 and ISO 21434 requirements.
Improved efficiency: Reduced document creation, reporting, and communication overhead.
Greater transparency: Role-based permissions and fully logged access improved security and resource tracking.
Flexible workflows: Customizable templates, workflows, and built-in report generators reduced implementation costs.
Data consistency: Single-source document and CAD management reduced errors and improved accuracy.
Strategic advantage: Compliance with high-end customer requirements strengthens trust and market competitiveness.

The project lays the foundation for deeper usage of ALM and PLM tools, further process optimization, and enhanced collaboration across CTE’s product development teams.

TT PSC was not only a technology implementation partner but also a trusted strategic advisor throughout the project.

Their expertise and consulting approach helped guide us in the right direction while implementing an integrated ALM and PLM environment that supports the entire V-Model development process - from requirements to testing. As a result, we improved collaboration between hardware and software teams, strengthened compliance with automotive safety standards, and significantly enhanced product quality and traceability.