Revamping Project Management Methods to Improve Product Launches

Skilled Manufacturing, Inc., or SMI, includes three divisions: automotive, aerospace and specialty. SMI Aerospace was launched in 2008 to cost-effectively serve the private jet, commercial airline and defense industries with precise, American-made components. SMI Aerospace provides comprehensive services including aerospace engineering, project management, and manufacturing excellence specializing in air-frame and engine components. SMI Aerospace employs 120 at their Traverse City, Mich., location, where Lean thinking is thoughtfully applied to work stations, equipment placement and visual management.

After analyzing their annual company evaluations completed by customers, SMI Aerospace identified an opportunity for improvement in project management. With several new product launches underway, the management team felt the company could benefit from further training in order to improve their project management skills while maximizing impacts of future product development.

SMI Aerospace partnered with the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center – Northern Lower (The Center-Northern Lower), part of the MEP National Network™, for a 12-week project management course. Using project management software, participants created detailed project management plans and communicated those plans to stakeholders. Key elements of project planning and management were reviewed and practiced. Participants then used the tools to define and control scope, improve communication, set timelines and accountabilities, maintain momentum and anticipate challenges and risks. The training also was designed to meet the educational component required to participate in the Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam.