More than my share of it all Skunk Works I

1
More than my share of it all Skunk Works I

• Kelly Johnson
• With
• Maggie Smith

2
More than my share of it all

• 1. SW mgr total authority report to very top
  executive
• 2. Strong small SPOsind gov
• 3. SW10 size of typical org
• 4. Simple drawing release system
• 5. Minimum reports, but important work must be
  recorded

3
More than my share of it all

• 6. Monthly cost reviews of past and predicted
  future
• 7. Use commercial bid process
• 8. Push inspection down and do not repeat
  inspections
• 9. Vehicles must be flight tested
• 10. Agree on specs prior to contracting

4
More than my share of it all

• 11. Timely funding from gov
• 12. Trust and close cooperation
• 13. Very limited access by outsiders
• 14. Pay based upon performance and not how many
  supervised

5
More than my share of it all

• Notes

6
SKUNK WORKS II

• Ben Rich Leo Janos

7
Drawing the Right Conclusions

• 1. Need for SW inversely proportional to
  funding.
• 2. Trend is to more oversite.
• 3. Specific Objectivesthe heart of the SW.
• 4. Team Mustang30 less.
• 5. Off the shelf components.

8
Drawing the Right Conclusions

• 6a. Why build a Rolls-Royce?
• 6b. Final 10 costs 40.
• 7. Componentsthrow away.
• 8. No-handed parts.
• 9. Affordability greater than Technology.
• 10. Leader-follower Stinks.

9
Drawing the Right Conclusions

• 11. Tremendous value of prototypes.
• 12. Concurrency.
• 13. Stick with reliable suppliers.
• 14. Potential cost reduction is
  security.
• 15. No substitute for astute management.

10
Drawing the Right Conclusions

• 16. Talented people, top pay, motivation, work
  environment, responsible for quality.
• 17. Encouraged to work imaginatively, improvise,
  unconventional, trust, and cooperation.
• 18. Strong leader/highly motivated employees.

11
Drawing the Right Conclusions

• A. What can you do NOW to improve your
  performance?
• B. What can your company do NOW to improve
  productivity?
• C. What can you do NOW for future gains?
• D. What can your company do NOW for future gains?

12
Drawing the Right Conclusions

• Notes