Project management in European Aerospace plc: a case study

Over the past 20 years the competition for capital equipment sales and support has intensified world wide. Europe in particular has scored some notable sales successes for aircraft, locomotives and ships. The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of project management in European Aerospace and its necessity if further successes are to be achieved. Large and complex capital equipment can only justify their considerable investment costs whilst they are working or available for work. This means ensuring that extensive management procedures are conceived and implemented not only for production of capital equipments but to ensure their support strategy is considered at the outset. This paper examines the challenge presented, reviews initial and support philosophy including dealing with subcontractors, and offers guidance on project management performance parameters to remain successful in the global market place.