I spent a bunch of time and effort learning what leads to successful upfront CAE implementations in 2008. You gotta see this cartoon on the topic.

CAE software marketers often spout statistics on how fast the solvers are in a new release. Who cares? Not me.

Your attitude towards physical prototyping and testing often bleeds directly into your attitude towards CAE simuation. Which is it going to be, design verification or design innovation?

It will be great when every software GUI features a single “easy button” in the center of a blank screen. Don’t hold your breath. On the other hand, it really doesn’t take much extra effort to beat the pants off the mediocre masses.

Computer speeds rising faster than your IT budget? You might just be able to hold out another year or two if you do it right.

Worried about your job? It’s time to rally and put some extra effort into wininng. Up your CAE game and create some new efficiencies!

Upfront CAE implementations often fail when the implementors fail to plan.

Great article from Matt Peick in Desktop Engineering. I agree with all his numbers… but, so what?

You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. Which do you think will fill up faster? Don’t expect upfront CAE to just “magically” get used. Get a game plan. Pick a real live project. Use it.