Title: The making of Boeing 777: a case study in concurrent engineering

Authors: K.J. Sharma, B. Bowonder

Addresses: 206 Turf View Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075, USA. ' Tata Management Training Centre, No. 1, Mangaldas Road, Pune, 411 011, India

Abstract: This is a case study on the concurrent engineering experience of Boeing 777. A new generation of aircraft was designed, developed and inducted in a record time. A variety of new technological and organisational enablers have been used to reduce costs and cycle time: horizontal coordination, clever and innovative use of existing and new designs and technologies, digital product definition, systems integration, and working together teams that included customer airlines and suppliers. Top management provided the necessary support.

Keywords: Boeing 777; concurrent engineering; fast cycle time; new product development; aerospace industry; aircraft development; simultaneous engineering; cost reduction; cycle time reduction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2004.005389

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2004 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.254 - 264

Published online: 01 Oct 2004 *

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