Along with other JHC units, RAF Benson is charged with delivering significant efficiency targets. Having achieved successful lean transformation in Puma depth maintenance (PASF), the station determined to roll-out lean across its operations in an attempt to deliver the required efficiencies.

Business Challenges

The station were keen to avoid launching into disparate lean projects which could potentially be counter productive and give conflicting results. It was critical to ensure that all future improvement projects supported delivery of the station mission statement, as well as contributing to efficiency targets.

Solutions

The first step was a station-wide EVSA, involving key and senior personnel from every operation. This identified issues with current processes, an ideal future state, benefit potential and the priority value streams to be taken forward into early implementation. Priority value streams were found to be Sortie Generation, Aircrew Training, and Deployment.

The programme of training and lean events was constructed to define in more detail the improvements required, and implementation of the changes. The station Lean team were integrated into the process and involved in execution of the plan.

Central to delivery of Benson future state is the establishment of a Central Command Function (integrated planning cell) driven by appropriate SLA’s and planning.
processes with JHC.

Benefits

All three value streams achieved their goal, with a total year on year saving of £3.6m against a target of £2.1m. The Aircrew Training Stream took immediate benefit of £1.67m per year by reducing flying hours through policy change and training redesign.

The Central Command Function (CCF) has a new design that will avoid repetition and reduce time to process tasks.  Initial operating capability requires some restructuring of the Ops HQ and will then provide a more levelled load across the station and unlock more benefit potential.

The preparation for the Deployment value stream will benefit from a new cell that will manage pre-deployment requirements for all station personnel and thus keep value adding personnel at their primary task.