Boeing 777 Development and Roll Out - Case Study Example

Boeing 777 Development and Roll Out Introduction In the modern scenario, the demand for aviation industry services has been increasing at a rapid pace. With the increasing demand for the airline services among people, the aviation industry can be observed to adopt advanced technologies for catering diverse needs and demands of the customers. The companies within the aviation industry are extensively involved in adopting effective engineering principals, which is further anticipated to enable them to maintain the quality of the products and services offered. The adoption of the advanced technologies in the aviation industry has become an important requirement in the day to day operations of these companies, as the aviation industry is becoming highly competitive in nature. In the year 1977, the US aircraft manufacturers were facing direct competition from Europe. In order to compete with the European airline industry, the US aviation industry has adopted a few advanced technologies to design a new aircraft as per the demand of the customers. In this regards, the Boeing Commercial airplanes took initiatives to develop Boeing 777 in the year 1994, which was then launched in the year of 1995 by the US. The primary user companies of the Boeing 777 are the United Airlines, Air France and the American Airlines (The Regents of the University of California, 2013). Correspondingly, the objective of the study is concentrated on describing the steps or processes, which were espoused when manufacturing Boeing 777. The study also describes about the advantages and disadvantages of project management, which has been adopted by Boeing Commercial Airplane for the completion of this project. Project Management Project Management refers to the process of organizing, planning, controlling, and motivating the resources required for the successful completion of the intended project. It has been apparently stated that the project management is highly associated with the engineering projects. Project management principles are mainly applied to those projects, which are complex in nature. In other words, project management is assimilation of the skills, knowledge, tools and techniques, which are mainly implemented for accomplishing a project successfully (Saylor Foundation, 2014). Correspondingly, there are several phases of project management activities, the first phase being the initiating, which is followed by planning, executing, controlling and motoring and closing (Saylor Foundation, 2014). Initiating The initiating activity is a process, which includes defining and authorizing activities in the project initiation phase. Correspondingly, initiating activity or process is mainly adopted at the time of commencing the project. It is during the initiating phase that the company decides upon the real needs and requirements for the project that would be necessary for sufficing the anticipated project goals and objectives (Saylor Foundation, 2014). Planning Project planning process is also often considered as the initial activity of a project. Project planning involves preparation of initial outline of a project and is mainly documented based on the forecasted advantages and disadvantages of the project undertaken. Notably, there are a few processes or measures, which are taken in the planning process when putting the plan into action. Several steps are involved in the planning process. In order to develop a project plan, the project manager needs to take certain measures, which will be helpful in carrying out the project activities. At this phase, the project manager is required to develop a clear project plan depending upon the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Generally, the Work Breakdown Structure is a hierarchical set of phases and activities, which will be undertaken while carrying out the project. WBS is a formal project schedule, which serves as the primary project tool for project managers on assessing its progress. After the planning process, the project manager needs to develop a resource plan for the project wherein resources are regarded to hold considerable significance within the domain. Notably, through resource planning, the project manager estimates resources required for the successful completion of the project (The Regents of the University of California, 2013). Execution of the Project In the execution phase, the forecasted planning of the project is put into action. The execution phase in a project management is also known as the development process wherein the execution in the project management needs to satisfy the project specification (Saylor Foundation, 2014). Monitoring and Controlling In subsequence, monitoring and controlling is an important process, which mainly deals with reviewing the various dimensions of the project management framework being applied. Monitoring and controlling herewith require the project manager to track and regulate the strategies implemented in an objective-oriented manner. It is worth mentioning in this context that the diligent practice of monitoring process enhances the developmental scope of the project to a substantial extent (Saylor Foundation, 2014). Closing The closing phase is the final step in project management process. During this phase, all the activities undertaken while carrying out the project are closed information, which are duly documented for the future use (Saylor Foundation, 2014). Knowledge Areas of Project Management Project management has nine knowledge areas, which include project integration management, project scope management, project cost management, project quality management, project time management, project communication management, project human resource management, project procurement management and project risk management. Lately, another knowledge area has been recognized, which is generally termed as project stakeholder’s management (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, 2011). Taking these aspects into consideration, the following discussion will aim at examining the application of these phases in the Boeing 777 development and roll-out. Project Management Tools for Boeing 777 Boeing 777 is a highly efficient passenger plane incorporating advanced technologies and latest features that was manufactured to suffice the growing demands of consumers. Several new technologies have been directly and indirectly applied for the production of Boeing 777 wherein the main challenge for the project manager was to select a technology that was reliable and had advantages of low cost maintenance. Correspondingly, several steps were implemented for manufacturing Boeing 777, developing it and subsequently, planning as well as successfully executing its roll-out (Delta Virtual Airlines, 2014). Outlines of Flight Controls of Boeing 777 Initially, the project manager needs to prepare an outline for controlling the flight and its primary activities, as the primary flight control surfaces are regarded as significant features of the Boeing 777. The primary flight control process also includes hydraulic power distribution for the power control units, which provide electrical control with the support of the Actuation Control Electronics. It has also been observed that the technology used in the manufacturing process of Boeing 777 is quite advanced in nature (Delta Virtual Airlines, 2014). Application of the ARNIC 629 ARNIC 629, also known as ‘ARNIC 629 Data Bus’ is a time deviation multiplex system, which comprises several transmitters along with autonomous terminal access and broad caste type features incorporated in the design for developed for Boeing 777. The application of ARNIC 629 data bus in Boeing 777 connects approximately 120 customers for communication purposes. This ARNIC 629 data bus transmission control process is further controlled by a higher authority or the controller of the project owing to its unique technological system, which makes the communication process easier in the airplane (Delta Virtual Airlines, 2014). Differed Maintenance Differed maintenance is a process, which is often recognized as a set of necessary qualities for customer based airlines required enhancing airplane dispatch reliability. The architectures of the flight have therefore been designed with a few types of avionics systems such as Primary Flight Control (PFC), AirData Inertial Reference System (ADIRS) and Airplane Information Management System (AIMS) (Yeh, n.d). The Air Data Inertial Reference System is a combination of Air Data Computers and Inertial Reference System, which were used in the earlier Airplanes in a separate way. This system is mainly used for making connections between Flight Control and ARNIC 629 data bus. The Airplane Information Management System (AIMS) mainly monitor flight management, trust management, data communication, central maintenance, display, flight data recording, airplane conditioning motoring, and digital data gateway. The main activity of AIMS, as was incorporated in the Boeing 777 development and roll-out project, was to establish the communication system with other avionics systems, which was already installed in the design. Notably, AIMS interface was implemented through several different media options, such as ARNIC 629 data bus and ARNIC 429. AIMS consists four core processors along with four input and output modules. Besides, the Specification Control Drawing (SCD) was also used in the development and roll-out of Boeing 777 (Delta Virtual Airlines, 2014). Risk Management for the Purpose of Boeing 777 Every project has certain risks and challenges involved, which was also apparent in the development and roll-out project for Boeing 777. For instance, in the project implementation phase, workers and engineers were quite likely to deal with hazardous working conditions owing to high risks of accidents. It was in this context that requisite safety measures are adopted for preventing any such of threat or risk. With due consideration to the fact that to establish a perfect risk management tool, the project manager needs to conduct a brief safety analysis, there were a few necessary measures included during the development of the Boeing 777, which followed until its final and successful roll-out. For instance, besides ensuring proper vigilance in the method of progression, the team also emphasized effective training processes to make the employees aware about the risks involved and thereafter, avoid any such potential (Crown, 2009). While employee safety remained a major concern in the developmental phase of the airplane, the risks associated with its rollout was more complex and multidimensional. For instance, in developing a product at the magnitude of Boeing 777 not only required high level of skills but also mandated huge cost investment, which was again anticipated to take several years to be obtained from the market through sales (Irwin & Pavcnik, 2003). In addition, product life cycle hit by the continuous innovations talking place within the market also bore considerable risks for the rollout success of Boeing 777. In addition, market trends observed in the then scenario also demanded high level of forecasting abilities amid the decision-makers to identify and anticipate the consumer buying behavior to ensure the desired level of returns from the project (Ayubi, 2011). Project Baseline to Monitor and Control a Project To identify the project baseline of Boeing 777, it should be considered that the product was being launched with the sole motive of serving the customers with lower cost advantages and better safety features when traveling by air. To an extent, the airline has been able to deliver these facilities and advantages with expanded capacity in its architectural designing. However, on the other hand, owing to such expansion, evacuation measures along with energy efficiency attributes of the product decreased (Zhi-Ming, Wei, Xiao-Dong & Wei-Guo, 2014). To balance these features in the developmental phase, engineers often had to build and rebuild its designing going through a multifaceted engineering process. Such discrepancies in the developmental phase further delayed the project rollout timing considerably and thus, inhibited the desired level of performance expected to be obtained from the project (Ayubi, 2011). In addition, its complex software designs and huge layout also created many difficulties in its developmental phase that further had its effects on its rollout (Yeh, 1998). Communication Plan for Boeing 777 While Boeing 777 was rolled out in the market in the late 1990s, since then, there have been many transformations in its modeling and designing, especially when considering its technological features related to software communication frameworks. To be noted in this regard, while rolling out the models being developed for Boeing 777, the company must emphasize the implementation of a proper communication plan. In this regard, communicating with the targeted audiences through printed advertisements, leaflets, booklets and prototype illustrations will be highly beneficial. To be noted in this regard, the targeted consumers of Boeing 777 have mostly been the airlines service providers and hence, it has been fundamentally dealing in the business-to-business industry. It is in this context that informative communication channels shall be more persuading to these targeted audiences rather than integrating entertaining communication plans, which is more suitable for retail customers (Crew & Kleindorfer, 2012). Roles and Responsibilities of the Project Team Member There are several important roles bestowed on a project manager who is mainly responsible for assigning the participants in the project with specific jobs. It has been also described that the role of project manager is to practice leadership to align the resources required for the successful completion of the project. The project manager also needs to undertake safety measures for all the team members who are working on a particular project. Correspondingly, the project manager needs to divide the risk control process into four distinct measures. These risk control measures include avoidance, transfer, acceptance, mitigation. Avoidance herewith refers to the change in project plans for eliminating the risk and improving the condition of the project. Transferring the risk related activities is another step of reducing the threat of any accident (Chandler, n.d). The acceptance of the risk and understanding the risk related consequences for further disputes is also identified as crucial in the project management process. The final step in project management is mitigation, which involves tactfully eliminating the risks arising in the project undertaken. The roles and responsibilities of a project manager, while manufacturing Boeing 777 included, identifying required resources and supports such as financial, human and materials necessary for achieving the success of the project. The project manager also looked after all types of interim and final tasks, which are necessarily, related to Boeing 777. In addition, the project manager, while undertaking the Boeing 777 project, should consider the social, economic and political issues in order to reduce any potential impact upon the project. The project manager along with other stakeholders also need to decide the budget for the entire development and rollout plan of the project and thereby, maintain the right schedule of the project activities that might lead to its overall success (Government of Alberta, 2014). Conclusion The discussion conducted above reveal that project management is one of the most important facets for developing any product of the firm. The study also describes that several measures and the loopholes related to the project developments while the various phases of the project management steps scheduled for the airplane is a tough job for a project management team. In the similar context, there are several factors identified as included in the development of Boeing 777. Based on the study conducted above, it can further be asserted that the Boeing 777 is a modern airplane with both marketing and engineering values to it. In subsequence, the study describes the roles and responsibilities of project managers to accomplish success through the implementation of the project management process. Besides, the several applications of advanced technology, involved in the project management process have also been identified in this study. The Boeing 777 has been designed and manufactured for meeting up the requirements of customers. The study also describes the roll out plan of the Boeing 777. In this regard, the study describes the several measurements, which should be considered as important facets of the communication plan, before rolling out the project. By reviewing the study it has been concluded that to prepare an advanced technological airplane, such as Boeing 777, the project engineers need to be very careful regarding the application of the technology, engine and execution of operational control of the passenger plane. References Ayubi, H. H. (2011). Advanced Skilled Required for Engineering Leaders in Global Product Development. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Crew, M. A. & Kleindorfer, P. R. (2012). Multi-Modal Competition and the Future of Mail. Edward Elgar Publishing. Crown. (2009). Boeing 777-236, G-VIIK. AAIB Bulletin, 60-74. Chandler. (n.d.). Project Management Methodology & Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Successful Projects. Project Management Methodology Guidelines, 1-94 Delta Virtual Airlines. (2014). Boeing 777-200lr Aircraft Operations Manual. Boeing 777-200LR Operating Manual, 1-48. Government of Alberta. (2014). Project Manager Roles and Responsibilities. Responsibilities, 1-3. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. (2011). Project knowledge areas. Chapter 4, 27-39 Irwin, D. A. & Pavcnik, N. (2003). Airbus versus Boeing Revisited: International Competition in the Aircraft Market. Department of Economics. The Regents of the University of California. (2013). Introduction to project management: principles, techniques and tools. Project Management Training, 1-61. Yeh, Y. C. (n.d.). Design considerations in Boeing 777 fly-by-wire computers. Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 1-9. Zhi-Ming, F., Wei, L., Xiao-Dong, L. & Wei-Guo, S. (2014). Study of Boeing 777 evacuation using a finer-grid civil aircraft evacuation model. Transportation Research Procedia, Vol. 2, pp. 246 – 254. Read More