ABSTRACT

A hardware emphasis is essential for aerospace project management because at the end of aerospace development it is high-quality, fully-performing hardware delivered to its operational environment that is the most fundamental objective and at a cost that is affordable, and schedule that maintains the hardware's relevance. This chapter explores key aspects across the diverse types of hardware comprising aerospace systems and development influences essential to good hardware delivery. It is essential that the project manager (PM) understands the critical design freeze drivers, include them in the master schedule, and track as critically important milestones. Modern engineering resource planning tools allow tracking of design relevance to specific product serial numbers, so the added effort to have the approval team consider relevant effectivity is small. All aerospace development schedules are paced by long procurements; especially in the competitive government and commercial markets. Long-lead subcontracts require the attention as long-lead parts procurement but at a higher cost and longer schedules.