**Sheffield**: A new human-centred approach to change management, developed by Aston University, enhances Rolls-Royce’s manufacturing supply chain, improving digital capabilities for 100 companies and laying the groundwork for future educational initiatives in supply chain operations.
A significant advancement in change management strategies is being credited with facilitating rapid digital transformation within Rolls-Royce’s manufacturing supply chain. This innovative human-centred approach, developed by academics from Aston University, forms part of a larger initiative supported by InterAct, a project under the Made Smarter Innovation programme.
The methodology, known as Process-Oriented Holonic (PrOH) Modelling, was applied to 100 companies within Rolls-Royce’s Connected Tempest digital supply chain system, which plays a crucial role in the development of the next-generation Tempest aircraft. This system enables manufacturers to enhance their digital capabilities and adapt to the changing landscape of technology.
By incorporating soft systems principles and focusing on human factors, the PrOH approach tackles issues related to strategy, culture, and operations. As a result, it has not only assisted manufacturing partners in improving their digital maturity but also broadened the potential for its implementation within the industry. The initiative culminated in the creation of tools, training materials, and a dedicated website aimed at further engaging both industry professionals and academic circles.
Professor Ben Clegg, a Professor of Operations Management at Aston University, has pioneered the PrOH Modelling Method for over a decade. Speaking to Manufacturing & Production Engineering Magazine, he mentioned, “While PrOH has been successfully applied in various manufacturing contexts, including automotive production, aerospace supply chains, and electric vehicle manufacturing, it was known mainly in academic circles through word of mouth.” He elaborated on the research’s transformative impact, stating, “InterAct has given us rocket boosters. We’ve turned something conceptual into a tangible product, something with a set of tools and training materials which can be delivered to the industry.”
Collaboration played a key role, with the project supporting 100 companies in Rolls-Royce’s supply chain that encompass material suppliers, metal providers, and machinery manufacturers. These organisations utilised the PrOH Modelling Methodology to pinpoint critical factors for enhancing digital maturity. Workshops involving industry professionals and academics were instrumental in shaping strategies across various domains including digitalisation, culture, and training. One such workshop was conducted at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield, facilitating interaction between these diverse groups to develop actionable outcomes.
Professor Clegg remarked, “The partners in this project have helped to simultaneously catalyse digital adoption in their own operations and extended enterprises to achieve more resilience, sustainability, and digital enhancement.”
Looking forward, the project team, which includes Dr Krishna Balthu and Dr Ehsan Eslamian from Aston University and Williams F1 respectively, intends to offer short courses on PrOH Modelling and systems thinking aimed at improving supply chain operations. These courses will be developed in partnership with industry bodies like the Operational Research Society (ORS) and the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).
InterAct, which received £4.4 million in funding from the Made Smarter Innovation initiative and is led by the Economic and Social Research Council, serves to unite economic and social scientists with UK manufacturers, policymakers, and technological providers to address the human issues associated with technological advancements in industry.
Professor Janet Godsell, co-director of InterAct from Loughborough University, expressed pride in the project’s accomplishments. She stated, “We are proud to have supported this pioneering research, which has demonstrated the transformative power of the PrOH Modelling Methodology in driving digitalisation and operational excellence within the manufacturing sector.” She emphasised the importance of a human-centric approach, noting that it not only enhances digital maturity but also cultivates a more resilient and sustainable industry.
For further information about PrOH Modelling, interested parties can visit the InterAct-funded website.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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