Challenge: Upgrading operations

In the fast-paced aviation and defense industry, one of our clients faced a key challenge: how to accelerate the adoption of modern technologies and maintain competitiveness. The solution? Implementing a Continuous Innovation Program as the foundation of a new business model. A crucial aspect of this program was the continuous testing of state-of-the-art technologies to bring increasingly innovative products to market.

Solution: Systems integration and supply chain orchestration

To achieve this ambitious goal, the company partnered with TT PSC, a systems integration specialist. Together, they integrated all enterprise solutions with a product lifecycle management (PLM) system. Another key element was orchestrating the supply chain using cloud technologies, enabling seamless collaboration among all stakeholders. Additionally, the company leveraged a wide range of Industry 4.0 to increase process efficiency and drive innovation.

Implementation challenges: Insufficient preparation of pilot projects

Despite ambitious goals, the company encountered challenges. Running at least 10 Proof of Concept (PoC) initiatives simultaneously sometimes led to projects being launched without sufficient business preparation. As a result, many PoCs had little chance of evolving into valuable final solutions, limiting their effectiveness and relevance to the company.

Correction: Focus on business goals and value of projects

In response, the company shifted its focus to clearly defined business objectives and project value justification. This included accurately estimating the value of projects before initiation, leading to better resource management and higher success rates. This refined approach enabled more efficient use of resources and significantly improved project outcomes.

Result: Agile implementation of innovation projects

Initially, launching multiple PoC projects without proper business preparation resulted in inefficiencies. However, once the company prioritized business goals and project value, they were able to better manage innovation initiatives. Consequently, projects became more impactful and delivered greater value to the company.

Conclusions

Several key takeaways emerged from these activities:

  • Precise definition of business objectives: Realistically assessing results (focusing on Proof of Value rather than Proof of Concept) helps clarify the benefits of new technology implementation.
  • Accurate definition of the technical scope: Effective budget and schedule management ensures a favorable cost-to-value ratio, optimizing resources and minimizing unnecessary expenses.
  • Innovation should serve business needs: While new technologies are exciting, their practicality and usefulness in day-to-day operations should be the primary motivation, avoiding the risk of getting stuck in the pilot phase.
  • Scalability of pilot projects: Even pilot initiatives should be designed with future scalability and deployment in mind.

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