Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Asset Management System Overhaul for Defense Sector Contractor


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TLDR The organization faced challenges with an outdated Enterprise Asset Management system that led to high maintenance costs and inefficiencies in asset lifecycle management. The successful modernization resulted in a 20% reduction in maintenance costs and improved operational efficiency, highlighting the significance of structured methodologies and robust Change Management in complex system integrations.

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Consider this scenario: The organization is a prominent contractor in the defense industry, grappling with an outdated Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system that hampers operational efficiency and asset lifecycle management.

With an expansive portfolio of assets distributed globally, the company is facing increased maintenance costs, inventory inaccuracies, and compliance challenges. The imperative is to modernize the EAM practices to bolster mission-critical operations and sustain competitive advantage.



In light of the current challenges, it is hypothesized that the root causes could be attributed to the legacy EAM system's limited functionality, lack of integration with other enterprise systems, and insufficient data analytics capabilities. These factors are likely contributing to the inefficient asset utilization and increased operational risk.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The strategic overhaul of the EAM requires a structured methodology that ensures a thorough analysis, design, and implementation. This proven methodology enhances decision-making, maximizes asset performance, and aligns with the organization's strategic goals.

  1. Assessment and Requirements Gathering: An in-depth assessment of the current EAM system, with a focus on identifying gaps in asset data integrity, system capabilities, and user adoption. Key questions involve understanding the current asset life cycle, maintenance strategies, and regulatory compliance needs.
  2. Process Redesign and Integration Planning: Reengineering of asset management processes for optimized performance, coupled with planning for integration with other enterprise systems, such as ERP, SCM, and CRM. This phase tackles potential resistance to change and ensures that redesigned processes align with best practices.
  3. System Selection and Blueprint Development: Based on the requirements, a selection of a new EAM system is conducted, followed by the development of a system blueprint that outlines the architecture, data models, and user interfaces.
  4. Implementation and Change Management: The implementation phase, where the new EAM system is configured, tested, and deployed. Concurrently, a comprehensive change management program is launched to facilitate user adoption and minimize disruptions to operations.
  5. Training and Support Structure Establishment: Development and delivery of training programs for end-users and the establishment of a support structure for ongoing maintenance and issue resolution.

For effective implementation, take a look at these EAM best practices:

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Strategy (24-slide PowerPoint deck)
ISO 55001:2014 (Asset Management) Awareness Training (60-slide PowerPoint deck)
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EAM Implementation Challenges & Considerations

One critical aspect of EAM modernization is ensuring data integrity during the system transition. The new system must be populated with clean, accurate, and complete asset data, which often requires a substantial data cleansing effort.

Another consideration is the integration complexity with existing enterprise systems. It's crucial to maintain uninterrupted data flows and ensure that the new EAM system complements and enhances the organization's technological ecosystem.

Lastly, user adoption can be a significant hurdle. A well-planned change management strategy is essential to promote user buy-in and proper utilization of the new EAM system.

Post-implementation, the organization can expect a reduction in maintenance costs by up to 20%, improved asset utilization, and a more agile response to compliance mandates. Accurate inventory management and optimized procurement processes are also anticipated outcomes.

Potential implementation challenges include managing the cultural shift towards new processes, ensuring system scalability, and addressing cybersecurity concerns inherent with modern EAM systems.

EAM KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


What gets measured gets managed.
     – Peter Drucker

  • Asset Utilization Rate: Measures the efficiency in asset usage, indicating potential areas for optimization.
  • Maintenance Cost per Asset: Tracks the cost-effectiveness of maintenance activities, guiding budgetary decisions.
  • System Downtime: Monitors the reliability and availability of the EAM system, crucial for mission-critical operations.

These KPIs provide insights into the effectiveness of the EAM system, enabling continuous improvement and strategic alignment with organizational goals.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

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Implementation Insights

Throughout the implementation, it was found that organizations that prioritize governance target=_blank>data governance in their EAM strategy tend to achieve higher data accuracy and, consequently, more reliable asset management. According to Gartner, firms focusing on data quality can expect a significant reduction in operational errors and decision-making time.

Another insight is the importance of scalable EAM solutions. As the defense contractor's operations grow, the EAM system must adapt to accommodate new assets, technologies, and compliance requirements seamlessly.

EAM Deliverables

  • Asset Management Strategy Report (PPT)
  • System Integration Roadmap (PPT)
  • Business Process Documentation (MS Word)
  • Training Program Materials (PDF)
  • Post-Implementation Review (PPT)

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EAM Case Studies

A case study from a leading aerospace defense contractor revealed that after implementing a new EAM system, they saw a 15% increase in operational efficiency and a 25% reduction in inventory holding costs. Another case from a global defense technology firm showed that by integrating predictive analytics into their EAM, they reduced unplanned downtime by 30%.

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EAM Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in EAM. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and EAM subject matter experts.

Data Integrity and Migration Strategies

Ensuring data integrity during the transition to a new EAM system is paramount. A meticulous data migration strategy is necessary to prevent data corruption, loss, or duplication. This involves establishing a data governance framework that defines data standards, ownership, and quality management processes. According to McKinsey, companies that actively engage in data governance are twice as likely to report significant improvements in decision-making.

Moreover, a phased migration approach can help in validating data integrity at each step, thereby minimizing risks. It's also advisable to maintain a parallel run of both the old and new systems for a period, ensuring a fallback option in case of critical issues that may arise during the transition.

System Integration Complexity

Integrating the new EAM system with existing enterprise systems requires a clear understanding of the data and process interdependencies. A robust integration plan must be developed, which includes the use of middleware, APIs, or custom-built interfaces. According to Bain & Company, effective integration strategies can increase success rates in system upgrades by up to 30%.

It is also crucial to address the change management aspect of system integration, as employees will need to adapt to new interfaces and possibly altered processes. Regular communication, stakeholder engagement, and comprehensive training programs are essential components of a successful integration effort.

User Adoption and Change Management

User adoption is a critical factor in the success of any new system implementation. A holistic change management strategy that encompasses communication, training, and support is essential. Deloitte emphasizes that active sponsorship from leadership and targeted communication strategies can increase the likelihood of successful user adoption by up to 55%.

Furthermore, incorporating user feedback into the design and implementation phases can lead to a more intuitive system that better meets user needs. Gamification and incentivization strategies can also be effective in increasing engagement and enthusiasm towards the new EAM system.

Scalability and Future-proofing the EAM System

Defense contractors must ensure that the EAM system is scalable and can adapt to future changes in business scale, technology, and regulatory requirements. This entails selecting a system with modular capabilities, open standards for integration, and a roadmap for technological advancements. EY reports that scalability is among the top three criteria for 70% of organizations when selecting new enterprise software.

Anticipating future trends in asset management, such as the incorporation of IoT and AI for predictive maintenance, can position the organization well for long-term operational excellence. Investing in a system that is capable of leveraging advanced analytics will be a significant enabler of strategic agility and competitive differentiation.

Measuring ROI and Value Realization

Executives are keen on understanding the return on investment (ROI) from the new EAM system. It is critical to define clear metrics and timelines for value realization post-implementation. PwC highlights that companies with well-defined KPIs for their IT investments are 1.7 times more likely to achieve expected ROI.

Value realization should be tracked through a combination of financial metrics, such as return on assets and maintenance cost reduction, as well as operational metrics, like asset uptime and compliance rates. Regular reporting against these KPIs will demonstrate the tangible benefits of the EAM overhaul and support continuous improvement efforts.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Reduced maintenance costs by up to 20% post-implementation, aligning with initial projections.
  • Improved asset utilization, leading to enhanced operational efficiency across global operations.
  • Achieved significant improvements in inventory accuracy and procurement processes.
  • Successfully integrated the new EAM system with ERP, SCM, and CRM, enhancing data flow and decision-making.
  • Established a comprehensive data governance framework, resulting in higher data accuracy and reliability.
  • Implemented a scalable EAM solution, prepared to accommodate future business and technology expansions.
  • Realized a marked increase in user adoption rates, attributed to effective change management and training programs.

The initiative to modernize the Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system has been markedly successful, achieving key objectives such as cost reduction, improved asset utilization, and enhanced operational efficiencies. The results underscore the importance of a structured methodology in addressing complex challenges, such as data integrity and system integration. The successful integration with other enterprise systems and the focus on data governance have been pivotal in ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of the new EAM system. However, the journey highlighted areas for potential improvement, such as the need for even more robust change management strategies to further increase user adoption rates and the exploration of advanced technologies like IoT and AI for predictive maintenance, which could have amplified the benefits realized.

For next steps, it is recommended to continue monitoring the KPIs established for the EAM system to ensure ongoing improvement and value realization. Further investment in advanced technologies such as IoT and AI should be considered to leverage predictive maintenance capabilities, enhancing operational efficiency and asset lifecycle management. Additionally, reinforcing the change management efforts with more targeted training and engagement initiatives could further improve user adoption and system utilization. Lastly, conducting regular reviews of the system's scalability and security measures will be crucial in maintaining its efficacy and safeguarding against emerging threats.

Source: Asset Lifecycle Enhancement in Aerospace, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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