Case study

Devonport Management Limited

Process and systems enabled change applied to complex refit projects

Devonport Management Limited (DML) is the UK’s sole refit and refuelling contractor for the UK’s nuclear-powered submarines and a leading refitter of major surface warships. In order to remain at the forefront of its industry, DML launched its Future Business Systems (FBS) initiative with the objective of defining and implementing best-practice processes and systems for complex refit projects, as a means of bringing about major business change. The program was also aimed at reducing the refit time for the Vanguard Class submarines, the nation's nuclear deterrent, by some 30%, compared to previous boat refits.

PA played an active, leading role in key aspects of the program, including setting up the governance of the whole program at three levels (Executive, Senior User Group, Application Area), providing program management, defining the bidding , estimating and project management processes and managing the change process and risk register. The result of the program was full transfer of ownership to line management for implementation of the new policies, processes and supporting systems, and achievement of the reduced refit time. In addition, DML’s customer audited the new processes three months before the arrival of the first Vanguard class submarine, and DML passed the audit with all flags flying.

“PA provided the framework and drive to make this change in our core systems and processes work.”

Henry Warren, Finance Director, Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd