Recent innovations in commercial and defense aircraft have driven vast increases in the quantity and complexity of electrical systems within those platforms. Because of this, the design and implementation of these systems are a significant factor in the overall program risk that has to be managed.

This paper discusses approaches to improve the electrical platform development process to reduce risk and reach program goals. It discusses the importance of employing a mature and fully functional, multi-domain digital thread to enrich the digital twin throughout the platform's lifecycle from definition, through design, into production and across its operating life.