This course will help you recognize how the "digital thread" is the backbone of the digital manufacturing and design (DM&D) transformation, turning manufacturing processes from paper-based to digital-based. You will have a working understanding of the digital thread 鈥 the stream that starts at product concept and continues to accumulate information and data throughout the product鈥檚 life cycle 鈥 and identify opportunities to leverage it. Gain an understanding of how "the right information, in the right place, at the right time" should flow. This is one of the keys to unlocking the potential of a digital design process. Acknowledging this will enable you to be more involved in a product鈥檚 development cycle, and to help a company become more flexible. Main concepts of this course will be delivered through lectures, readings, discussions and various videos. This is the second course in the Digital Manufacturing & Design Technology specialization that explores the many facets of manufacturing鈥檚 鈥淔ourth Revolution,鈥 aka Industry 4.0, and features a culminating project involving creation of a roadmap to achieve a self-established DMD-related professional goal. To learn more about the Digital Manufacturing and Design Technology specialization, please watch the overview video by copying and pasting the following link into your web browser: https://youtu.be/wETK1O9c-CA