Why ALM and PLE are indispensable

Automotive industry Why ALM and PLE are indispensable

2025-02-24 A guest contribution from Michele Del Mondo | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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The automotive industry faces increasing complexity in product development. Fortunately, with Application Lifecycle Management and Product Line Engineering, there are two technologies available that shorten development time, improve quality, and utilize resources efficiently.

The automotive industry is facing one of the biggest upheavals in its history and is preparing for the future of mobility.(Image: PTC) — The automotive industry is facing one of the biggest upheavals in its history and is preparing for the future of mobility.
(Image: PTC)

Michele Del Mondo, Senior Director Global Advisor Automotive, PTC

In automotive development, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain an overview. Vehicle models must be developed for numerous markets with different regulatory requirements and simultaneously in multiple variants—electric, hybrid, and conventional. Each of these models requires country-specific software for control systems, battery management, and driver assistance. With such a variety of variants and systems, development efforts quickly multiply. This reality presents manufacturers with an enormous challenge: How can development processes be structured without exceeding time and cost constraints?

A proven solution lies in the combination of Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) and Product Line Engineering (PLE). These two approaches not only allow for reduced development times but also help ensure vehicle quality and strategically deploy resources—a crucial advantage in a dynamic and innovation-driven automotive market.

Software—Innovation engine and challenge

Over the past few years, vehicles have evolved into highly complex software platforms. Systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, or connected navigation solutions are now standard and rely on numerous interlinked software modules. Any change to one of these modules can potentially impact other systems, further increasing the complexity of development.

A typical example from practice: During the development of a new model, it is found that the lane-keeping assist software needs to be updated to better process new sensor data. However, such a change could lead to conflicts with the vehicle stability control system software. Without structured processes and clear traceability, these interactions could result in errors that not only cause development delays but also pose safety risks.

ALM: Structure for the entire software lifecycle

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) addresses these challenges by providing end-to-end management of the software lifecycle—from conception through development and testing to maintenance. This ensures transparency, consistency, and efficiency in all phases of development.

A key advantage of ALM is centralized documentation and traceability. When a software update is needed, for example for a driver assistance system, developers can access all relevant information, test results, and changes without having to conduct lengthy research. This not only reduces the susceptibility to errors but also significantly accelerates the development process.

Furthermore, ALM promotes collaboration between different teams involved in a vehicle project. A development team working on brake control software can easily cooperate with another team responsible for the stability system. Both teams can simultaneously access up-to-date test data and development documentation to ensure that their changes remain compatible.

PLE: More efficiency in variant development

While ALM optimizes the entire software lifecycle, the focus of Product Line Engineering (PLE) is on the efficient development and management of product variants. Instead of developing each vehicle variant from scratch, PLE allows for the reuse of proven software modules that only need to be adapted to the specific requirements of the respective variant.

Example: An automaker plans to develop a new hybrid variant of an existing model. With PLE, the already tested software module for battery management from the purely electric variant can be used and adapted with minimal effort. This not only saves development time but also increases the quality of the solution, as it relies on proven and tested modules.

PLE also provides a clear overview of the modules used and their dependencies. This allows manufacturers to make targeted changes to one variant without risking unintended impacts on other variants. This leads to higher efficiency and quality in overall product development.

ALM and PLE in combination: Faster and more efficient in the market

The combination of ALM and PLE creates seamless development processes that improve both speed and quality. By reusing software components and integrating structured processes, manufacturers can respond faster to market demands and implement individual customer requests more efficiently.

A concrete scenario illustrates the benefits: An automaker is developing a new vehicle variant for the European market, which must meet specific requirements for driver assistance systems and infotainment. With ALM and PLE, existing software modules can be specifically extended and seamlessly documented. This significantly speeds up the market launch and frees up resources for further innovation projects.

Quality assurance and regulatory requirements

In addition to increasing efficiency, ALM and PLE significantly contribute to quality assurance. Integrated testing procedures allow errors to be detected and corrected early. This reduces the risk of problems arising later in development phases or even in operation. Consistent product structures and comprehensive documentation ensure that all teams can always maintain an overview. Furthermore, ALM facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements. Standards such as UNECE R155 or ISO/SAE 21434, which impose high demands on cybersecurity and data protection, can be seamlessly integrated into the development process. This simplifies the approval of new vehicle models and reduces potential liability risks.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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Sustainability and strategic advantages

The automotive industry faces the challenge of acting not only technologically but also ecologically sustainably. The reuse of software modules and systems, as well as the optimization of processes through PLE, contribute to reducing development efforts and resource consumption. This not only meets the demands for sustainable production methods but also strengthens the manufacturers' image as responsible actors.