Engineering Transformation

Client Challenge

The client encountered several challenges:

• The merger of different defense and space companies led to a siloed structure in engineering and enabling functions
• The lack of integration and cooperation caused a loss of efficiency and competitiveness
• Previous attempts at integration through reorganization and transformation were merely “changes of boxes without changes in ways of working”

H&Z Approach

Contrary to the widespread practice of developing new organizations behind closed doors, H&Z and our client, an international aerospace and defense company, chose a different approach. They informed thousands of employees about the planned transformation and called for participation. This led to over 200 actively involved employees, forming the “Sounding Community.” With H&Z’s extensive experience in engineering, strategy, and organizational development, the large team developed and tested use cases for the new setup.

The result was a well-functioning new structure that leveraged synergies and achieved a high level of acceptance for the new way of working. All workers’ councils involved praised this integrative approach.

H&Z’s successful transformation approach in this project was also highlighted in an article in the magazine CAPITAL.

Results

• Introduction of a Center of Excellence structure for a large-scale international engineering organization. The new setup supports integrated and connected development, enabling the win of one of the largest international defense programs
• Over 20 additional improvement initiatives were started and driven by the Sounding Community
• Increased efficiency and structural cost reduction achieved through re-use, standardization, and reduction of redundant work