Article
Accelerating digital adoption in A&D manufacturing: A change management playbook
May 28, 2025 · Authored by Jessica Drexler
The A&D manufacturing sector is being reshaped by technology and the growing adoption of automation in business processes. Additionally, the evolution of workforce culture in today’s age presents its own set of challenges for manufacturers. These advancements and evolution are driven by market competition, innovation and regulatory bodies and it’s imperative for the A&D sector to stay competitive and keep up with market uncertainties.
Whether driven by digital transformation, compliance requirements or operational efficiency, managing change effectively can determine whether a company thrives or falls behind. Below are the key considerations, strategies and success factors for leading change initiatives in complex environments like A&D manufacturing. These insights are designed to help leaders drive sustainable transformation across the manufacturing lifecycle.
Q: What are the complexities and operational impact of managing organizational change in highly regulated sectors like A&D manufacturing?
A: Successful change management in regulated environments begins with setting up a clear business case that articulates why change is necessary. Leadership must translate benefits both at the organizational and individual levels, so employees understand what's in it for them personally. Without equal information access across all employee levels, adoption may suffer.
Q: What are the strategies for identifying and managing dependencies between various change initiatives?
A: Manufacturers should anchor all initiatives to strategic or information technology (IT) roadmaps that show clear priorities. Mapping timing dependencies between planning, design and implementation phases across multiple projects can avoid resource conflicts and change fatigue among employees. Additionally, establishing project governance helps maintain these priorities while creating effective, coordinated communication channels.
Another approach is visualizing how different initiatives interact and impact each other by creating process roadmaps. Computer modeling and simulation before implementation can identify potential conflicts before they emerge in production environments.
