In 2012, Rolls-Royce’s New Product Introduction (NPI) Transformation Project Team began to assess every aspect of how new products were introduced. From organisational design, to people and ways of working, IT, and processes and systems, their aim was to identify where improvements could be made in order to bring products to the market more quickly and add value to their customer base.

AECOM developed a strategic brief and design for a new project hall, housing approximately 400 people working on Rolls-Royce’s newest engine project – Trent XWB, the world’s most efficient jet engine. In addition to workplace briefing and design, AECOM also provided change management support to ensure that teams moving into the new workspace were prepared to embrace new ways of working and driving maximum value for the project as a whole.

Sharing spaces to improve sharing of ideas

A key goal was to improve global communication, efficiency and productivity on behalf of Rolls-Royce customers. Teams that worked together closely were often based in different buildings across the Derby site, resulting in poor information flow and communication patterns.

Within the new Trent XWB project space the teams are now under one roof in a modern and highly innovative workspace; AECOM listened to how individuals and teams worked, as well as how they wanted to work, and designed a space around these aspirations. This new space has significantly improved communication and collaboration. All work spaces are shared, in line with Rolls-Royce’s Agile Working global programme. Team neighbourhoods foster a sense of belonging, while improved IT processes and systems help teams communicate more effectively. A wide variety of spaces, such as quiet zones, library areas, social spaces and traditional meeting rooms, support various work patterns and create a more colourful, flexible and agile place to work.

The new environment led to changes in behaviours, as well as ways of working and, with the help of an integrated change management programme, Rolls-Royce has achieved a sustainable cultural change.

Project-Specific Services:

  • Workplace Strategy
  • Concept Design
  • Scheme Design
  • Design Monitoring
  • Change Management