What is Platform Thinking?
Platform thinking is a transformative approach to business strategy that focuses on creating an ecosystem where various stakeholders – customers, partners, developers, and even competitors – can collaborate to co-create value.
Unlike traditional linear business models, platform thinking emphasizes decentralized value creation, where participants contribute to and benefit from the shared ecosystem.
This approach maximizes innovation, scalability, and adaptability by leveraging network effects and open systems.
The role of platform thinking in digital engineering
At its core, platform thinking shifts the focus from product-centric strategies to ecosystem-centric approaches. It encourages businesses to move away from ownership models toward access-based models, where flexibility and collaboration are prioritized. This strategy is particularly relevant in industries where complex processes and multiple stakeholders are involved in product development.
By adopting platform thinking, organizations can break down silos between departments such as engineering, design, manufacturing, and supply chain management. This allows for more seamless integration of tools like CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software. The result is a more agile organization that can respond quickly to market demands while maintaining high levels of innovation.
What are the benefits of platform thinking?
Optimize agility
Quickly adapt to market changes, technological advancements, or disruptions like supply chain issues. Platforms centralize data and processes, allowing for rapid decision-making and faster recovery from crises.
Reduce costs
Significantly reduce operational costs by streamlining processes and eliminating redundancies. For example, shared platforms across business units prevent duplication of efforts and resources.
Access new markets
Enable faster market entry and growth by creating an open platform that partners, suppliers, and even customers can access. Tap into new customer bases and geographic regions without needing to build infrastructure from scratch.
Enhance collaboration
Break down organizational silos and retain top talent by offering flexible work environments that encourage cross-functional collaboration.
Improve product quality
Improve product quality through real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance using IoT, AI, and big data analytics.
What's the best way to get started with platform thinking in your organization?
Keep reading to discover our recommended approach to platform thinking, or reach out to us for a free consultation today.
Look for opportunities where collaboration, data sharing, and integration can improve efficiency or innovation. This could include internal processes, such as product development, or external interactions with suppliers, partners, and customers.
Understanding who will contribute to and benefit from the platform is crucial for designing a system that meets everyone’s needs. Identify key stakeholders such as internal teams (e.g., engineering, design, manufacturing) and external partners (e.g., suppliers, customers, third-party developers) who will participate in the platform ecosystem.
A PLM (product lifecycle management) platform often serves as the foundation for integrating tools such as CAD software, supply chain management systems, and other enterprise applications. This centralized platform should act as the single source of truth, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to real-time information.
This could include design and engineering software (e.g., CAD, CAM, ECAD), project management (ALM), manufacturing systems (ERP, MES), or after-sale (CRM) software. The goal is to create a seamless flow of information between departments, enabling real-time collaboration and decision-making.
A successful platform relies on open communication and collaboration. Encourage teams to share data, insights, and feedback freely within the platform. This cultural shift may require training or workshops to help employees understand the value of collaboration in a platform-based environment.
Use KPIs such as collaboration efficiency, time-to-market improvements, or cost reductions to continuously monitor your new platform’s performance. Regularly gather feedback from both internal users and external partners to identify areas for improvement.
Need help with Platform thinking?
Johannes Storvik and team are on-hand to provide tailored guidance and support with a deep knowledge of the full Dassault Systèmes portfolio. Reach out for a free consultation today.
Essential software for platform thinking
For end-to-end PLM (product lifecycle management) and collaborative innovation.
For complex engineering design and assembly modeling.
For optimizing manufacturing processes, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing product quality.
For robust product data management, business analytics, and decision support.
For virtual testing, analyzing, and optimizing product performance.
View our extensive range of software solutions