Over the past six years, CQM Training & Consultancy has partnered with BAE Systems, one of the UK’s leading aerospace and defence organisations, to support the development of Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement capability across its air sector quality function.

Working with supervisors, managers and senior leaders across quality operations, the programmes were designed to strengthen problem-solving capability, support more consistent approaches to improvement activity and help embed a more sustainable culture of continuous improvement.

Embedding Improvement Into Operational Work

To support capability development across the function, CQM T&C delivered a collection of structured Improvement programmes accredited with Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt.

Delegates worked within live manufacturing and quality environments, allowing learning to remain closely connected to their operational priorities and real improvement activity.

Rather than separating development from day-to-day work, projects focused on practical operational challenges, including manufacturing snag reduction, efficiency improvements and cross-functional communication.

Creating a More Connected Improvement Culture

One of the less visible outcomes of the programmes was the way they encouraged greater collaboration across teams.

By bringing together learners from different parts of the organisation, the programmes helped strengthen knowledge sharing, improve communication between functions and support a more connected approach to improvement activity.

Importantly, the programmes were aligned to BAE Systems’ wider organisational values, helping ensure development activity supported both operational performance and long-term cultural capability.

Explore the Full Case Study

If this is an area your organisation is currently exploring, the case study below provides a practical insight into how long-term improvement capability can be developed within complex manufacturing operations.