By Liam O’Neill, Director, bpmd
Large, complex programmes often face similarly large and complex challenges. These can manifest as lengthy delays, pushing project deadlines far beyond their initial targets. Budget overruns become a constant threat, with ballooning costs often exceeding initial estimates. Perhaps most concerning is the possibility of delivering a final product that bears little resemblance to the original vision or fails to address the core business need altogether.
This isn’t a challenge confined to a single industry; it plagues professional landscapes across the board. The defence sector offers a stark illustration: the General Dynamics Ajax programme, plagued by challenges, has run overtime and overbudget. Similarly, the German army has endured a decade-long wait for a seemingly simple solution – new helmets. And who can forget the astronomical cost increases associated with the development of the iconic B-2 bomber?
The issue, however, extends beyond the realm of developing new physical products. Business transformation initiatives, often aimed at streamlining back-office operations, can also fall victim to these complex challenges. A prime example is the high-profile ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system failure experienced by the US Air Force – a project that ultimately failed to deliver on its promises.
Enter the B-21
The U.S. Air Force faced a tough call: their aging bomber fleet struggled with rising maintenance costs and dwindling effectiveness against modern defences.Given the aforementioned challenges faced by the previous stealth bomber programme, many (including senior US Governmental officials) expected similar problems with any subsequent efforts. However, the B-21 next-generation bomber is defying the odds – staying on schedule and under budget. So, how did they pull off this apparent miracle, and what lessons can we take for conquering complexity in digital transformations?
How did it go so right?
To understand how the B-21’s delivered on-time and under budget, let’s delve into the 5 key tenants that fuelled its success and offer valuable lessons for digital transformations.
Get the design right:
Unlike previous projects with vague goals, the B-21 programme had a well-defined purpose, a design aligned to the purpose, and a clear understanding of all underlying requirements. This strong upfront design, detailed to the level of individual access panels, minimised risk and sped up development later on.
For successful digital transformation, a similar approach is crucial. Understanding your desired future state business processes at a high level – not every click and detail, but the target way of working post-transformation – is critical. This foundational understanding empowers you to select the software and make the solution design decisions which ensure alignment with your long-term vision.
Leverage best practice technologies
The B-21 programme’s success stemmed from its focus on mature technologies, rather than building everything from scratch.
This approach translates well to digital transformation. Instead of striving for wholesale innovation, identify leading best-practice systems and their standard functionalities. Combine these with the strengths of your existing processes to create a solid foundation. This doesn’t preclude targeted innovation; you can still focus on strategically important areas to gain a competitive edge.
Right people, right sponsorship
The B-21 programme thrived thanks to a much smaller team of highly skilled and experienced engineers and programme managers. This team enjoyed direct access to decision-makers and streamlined approval processes, enabling them to deliver faster and more effectively despite the programme’s complexity. As former US Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James aptly put it, “there were fewer layers of bureaucracy”.
By building a lean team of high performers and giving them the appropriate sponsorship, authority and tools, you can ensure your team has the capability and agility required for digital transformation. Process Sponsorship and Ownership is a powerful tool in getting business engagement but at an appropriate level of seniority.
Use a digital twin
A digital twin – a virtual replica of the aircraft – played a crucial role in the B-21 programme’s success. This model allowed for cost-effective, in-depth simulations and design optimisations across the entire lifecycle.
Similarly, digital twins can be a game-changer for digital transformation. By creating a baseline model upfront (through BPM and Business Intelligence) and utilising it throughout design and rollout, you can monitor user adoption, performance, and ultimately maximise the value you extract from your transformation efforts.
Make it sustainable
Unlike many projects, sustainability was a core consideration for the B-21 programme from the outset. The focus was on long-term usability, achieved through designing the aircraft with an open architecture that allows for easy integration of new systems in the future. Furthermore, the prototype was built using the same production lines and mission systems that would be used for the main build, avoiding costly, one-off customisations.
This approach translates perfectly to digital transformation initiatives. By prioritising standard integrations and established best practices, you can avoid creating bespoke code that becomes a maintenance burden later on. This ensures your digital transformation delivers lasting value. Further BPM becomes your tool for maximising long-term sustainability by enabling effective adoption and optimisation to maintain efficacy.
See it in action: A client success story
At bpmd, we have a proven track record of helping businesses like yours navigate the complexities of digital transformation. We recently partnered with a Global Defence Manufacturer to evolve and digitalise their BMS (Business Management System).
By applying our experience and the best practices outlined above, we delivered a successful and sustainable BMS. Furthermore, our process-driven approach transformed the BMS into a foundational digital twin, supporting other ongoing projects. This digital twin lays the groundwork for future integration of business intelligence, further enhancing its capabilities.
“bpmd did a transformative job on our companies’ processes in rapid timescales. As a relatively new company, it has become increasingly important for our staff to develop, document and be able to access the way we work. With bpmd’s leadership we have been able to develop a logical, best-practice process hierarchy suitable to meet our aspirations to develop and grow as a company, and most-importantly, deliver on our customer commitments. bpmd’s consultants led us through the process with great skill, offered expert advice throughout, showed flexibility when we needed and crucially left us well-trained and able to continue to develop and further improve our Business Management System. I will be recommending bpmd highly to other going forwards” – Head of Programmes – Global Defence Manufacturer
This client’s experience highlights the real-world impact our approach can have on complex transformations.
In conclusion: mastering the art of complex change
Get started today!
By following the principles outlined in this blog – getting the design right, leveraging best practices, empowering your team, utilising digital twins, and prioritising sustainability – you can significantly increase your chances of success in your digital transformation journey.
Remember, complex projects don’t have to be synonymous with delays and budget overruns. The B-21 programme serves as a powerful example of what’s achievable with a clear vision, the right approach, and the right partner.
Are you ready to unlock the transformative potential of digital transformation for your business?
Contact bpmd today for a free consultation and see how we can help you achieve your goals.
Sources
Air Force B-21 Raider Long-Range Strike Bomber, Congressional Research Service, https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R44463/14
The Race for Next Generation Bombers – Stealth, Drones & the B-21, H-20 & PAK DA programs, Perun (Youtube), 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ded2b3uJbc&pp=ygUMcGVydW4gYm9tYmVy
The B-21 stealth bomber’s first mission: evading Pentagon red tape, Stephen Losey, 2023, https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/01/10/building-a-better-bomber-how-the-stealthy-b-21-subverted-bureaucracy/