GKN Aerospace, a leading global supplier in the aerospace industry, has successfully implemented integrated business planning with the help of IBM Planning Analytics. The company faced challenges in managing its extensive operational structure and multiple ERP systems, as well as the need for standardization across diverse products, business lines, and site operations. With the integration of Planning Analytics, GKN Aerospace has achieved greater efficiency, collaboration, and accuracy in its financial planning and analysis processes. The solution is being utilized in various departments, including workforce planning, operations, procurement, sales planning, and manufacturing engineering. The flexibility, customization, Excel integration, and natural learning curve of Planning Analytics have contributed to its successful adoption and improved decision-making throughout the organization.

Rising to the Challenge: Addressing Operational and Management Challenges

GKN Aerospace’s expansion through strategic acquisitions resulted in challenges related to non-standard ERP systems, inconsistent processes, and lack of standardization. These challenges hindered efficient financial planning and analysis processes and integrated business planning. The finance director authorized the development of a more robust and accurate solution when a significant payroll model took a long time to resolve without a definitive answer, causing a loss of confidence in the Excel model.

Expanding for Growth: Standardizing Processes and Reporting

What started as site-level planning evolved into a comprehensive initiative to standardize processes and reporting across multiple sites and business lines. Planning Analytics offered the flexibility to adapt the system to the specific needs of each site, while maintaining standardized approaches for key metrics and reporting at higher levels. This laid the foundation for the implementation of Integrated Business Planning, ensuring a cohesive and streamlined approach to decision-making within the organization.

Departmental Utilization of Planning Analytics

GKN Aerospace is currently using Planning Analytics in several departments:

• Workforce Planning for Engineers
• Integration with Operations
• Procurement
• Sales Planning
• Manufacturing Engineering

Each department leverages Planning Analytics to optimize resource allocation, streamline operations, facilitate data-driven decision-making, ensure efficient procurement processes, and estimate production times.

Benefits of Planning Analytics for Integrated Business Planning

IBM Planning Analytics has provided several benefits to GKN Aerospace:

• Driving efficiency and collaboration by capturing complex calculations and streamlining workflows.
• Flexibility and customization through unique functionality for complex calculations and cell-based interactions.
• Excel integration and familiarity, allowing for a familiar interface and gradual exploration of additional functionality.
• Natural learning curve, empowering each site to create its own reports and analysis tailored to specific needs.
• Integration with other tools for comprehensive reporting and detailed analysis.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Clarity

One of the challenges GKN Aerospace faced was convincing the organization that Planning Analytics is not just a finance tool and managing internal processes heavily reliant on Excel-based workflows. By demonstrating the collaborative benefits and value addition of integrating finance and other functions, these challenges were overcome. Planning Analytics has helped the company save time, improve data integrity, and optimize planning and reporting processes.

Summary

GKN Aerospace has successfully implemented integrated business planning with IBM Planning Analytics, addressing operational and management challenges and achieving greater efficiency and accuracy in financial planning and analysis processes. The flexibility, customization, Excel integration, and natural learning curve of Planning Analytics have contributed to successful adoption and improved decision-making throughout the organization. Various departments, including workforce planning, operations, procurement, sales planning, and manufacturing engineering, are utilizing Planning Analytics to optimize resource allocation, streamline operations, facilitate data-driven decision-making, ensure efficient procurement processes, and estimate production times.

FAQs

What is GKN Aerospace?

GKN Aerospace is a leading global supplier in the aerospace industry, specializing in the design, manufacturing, and supply of advanced aerospace systems and components.

What challenges did GKN Aerospace face in managing its operations?

GKN Aerospace faced challenges related to non-standard ERP systems, inconsistent processes, and lack of standardization due to its expansion through strategic acquisitions.

How did GKN Aerospace address these challenges?

GKN Aerospace implemented IBM Planning Analytics, which provided flexibility, customization, Excel integration, and a natural learning curve. The solution helped standardize processes, improve accuracy, and facilitate collaboration across various functions.

How is Planning Analytics being used in different departments?

Planning Analytics is being used for workforce planning, integration with operations, procurement, sales planning, and manufacturing engineering. Each department utilizes the solution to optimize resource allocation, streamline operations, facilitate data-driven decision-making, ensure efficient procurement processes, and estimate production times.

What are the benefits of Planning Analytics for integrated business planning?

The benefits of Planning Analytics for integrated business planning include driving efficiency and collaboration, flexibility and customization, Excel integration and familiarity, a natural learning curve, and integration with other tools for comprehensive reporting and detailed analysis.