The Critical Chain as a support and success factor for strategic projects

Context

A specialist in ultra-lightweight aircraft seats, Expliseat is experiencing a period of rapid industrial growth driven by the expansion of the aerospace market and demanding customer requirements. To support this ramp-up, the company has launched several strategic projects, including the development of a new generation of seats combining lightness and operational performance, as well as the establishment of its production facility in Angers, France.

To ensure the successful completion of these projects within tight deadlines, Expliseat has chosen to leverage the principles of the Theory of Constraints and Critical Chain, with support from Marris Consulting.

Objectives

• Structure schedules, clarify priorities, and focus resources on the most critical tasks.
• Strengthen daily project management through the use of Fever Charts and dedicated rituals.
• Secure development deadlines to deliver to clients on time.
• Ensure the installation and Part 21 approval of the plant in less than a year.

Approach

• Critical Chain was initially implemented on two projects:

  • A CAPEX project for the construction and certification of the new factory

  • A project for the development of a new, highly complex product

• With numerous projects underway, the method was quickly deployed across the entire portfolio.

  • Projects identification and prioritization

  • Critical Chain project planning and schedule optimization, focusing on critical activities

  • Identification of portfolio capacity constraints and levers to reduce multitasking and increase throughput

  • Load/capacity simulations

• Establishment of management routines at various levels, including a weekly portfolio steering committee