Introduction
Modern simulations like CFD and FEA generate staggering amounts of information. A single crash test simulation or a high-fidelity fluid dynamics study can produce terabytes of data. Without a structured management strategy, this information becomes a “dark asset”: difficult to find, impossible to verify, and disconnected from the final product design.
Managing Simulation Data and Results is the practice of capturing, organizing, and linking every simulation run to the product’s requirements and CAD versions. In a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) context, this ensures that simulation isn’t just a “one-off” report, but a permanent, searchable part of the Digital Thread.
The Pillars of Simulation Data Management (SDM)
To turn raw simulation output into business value, organizations must focus on four key areas:
1. Version and Variant Control
Ensuring that “Simulation A” was run against “CAD Version 4” and not an outdated model. This is critical when managing multiple product variants.
2. Metadata Capture
Storing not just the colorful results, but the how and why: Who ran the simulation? Which solver version was used? What were the boundary conditions?
3. Traceability
Linking the simulation result directly to the functional requirement it was designed to verify. If a requirement changes, the system should flag the simulation as “outdated.”
4. Accessibility and Visualization
Allowing non-specialists (project managers, quality engineers) to view simplified results and “pass/fail” statuses without needing to open complex simulation software.
Why Managing Simulation Data Matters
| The Problem | The Result of Proper Management |
| Lost Knowledge | Valuable insights are preserved even if the lead analyst leaves the company. |
| Wasted Resources | Prevents “re-inventing the wheel” by allowing engineers to find and reuse previous studies. |
| Audit Failures | Provides a clear, tamper-proof record of how a product was validated for safety bodies. |
| Delayed Decisions | Managers can make faster decisions based on real-time, high-level dashboards of simulation status. |
Integrating Simulation into the PLM Ecosystem
A mature PLM strategy treats simulation data as a first-class citizen, equal in importance to the Bill of Materials (BoM). This integration allows for:
- Automated Workflows: Automatically triggering a simulation when a CAD model reaches a certain maturity level.
- Performance Requirements Tracking: Monitoring how a product’s performance evolves across different design iterations.
How Visure Solutions Governs Simulation Results
Visure Requirements ALM Platform acts as the high-level orchestrator that gives meaning to simulation data:
- Centralized Verification Hub: Visure doesn’t store the massive raw simulation files, but it stores the verdict and the metadata. It links the “Pass/Fail” result directly to the Requirement.
- Impact Analysis: If a simulation reveals a structural flaw, Visure helps you see instantly which other requirements (cost, weight, battery life) will be impacted by the necessary design change.
- Evidence for Certification: For standards like ISO 26262 or FDA 21 CFR, Visure provides the report that proves exactly which simulation verified which safety requirement, including timestamps and approvals.
- Cross-Team Visibility: Visure allows the simulation team to communicate results directly to the requirements owners, ensuring that everyone is working with the same “Source of Truth.”
Conclusion
Managing simulation data is the final step in closing the loop of digital engineering. When simulation results are traceable, accessible, and linked to requirements, they cease to be just “technical files” and become strategic assets.
By using Visure to govern this process, you ensure that your simulation efforts are never wasted. You create a transparent, high-velocity engineering environment where every virtual test brings you one step closer to a perfect product.
Check out the 14-day free trial at Visure and experience how AI-driven change control can help you manage changes faster, safer, and with full audit readiness.
