A Process for Regionalization of Engineering

摘要

Multi-national companies are commonly doing business in international projects. Hence, they are faced with the question how the different technical steps in the value chain can be most efficiently performed by headquarter and local organizations. In this paper, a process detailing how regionalization efforts in engineering can be effectively prepared and managed is given. The process includes the definition of regionalization goals and their relation to the underlying business strategy and an analysis of the preconditions for regionalization. In order to establish a regionalization concept, different scenarios have to be evaluated. Following the decision for a certain scenario, detailed planning can be started, including e.g., preparation of change management and ramp-up of engineering resources. In order to set up the local organization, employees have to be trained, environments have to be prepared and engineering processes have to be adapted. Then, the first regionalized projects will be performed. Lessons learned may increase the performance of the organization in the new regionalized environment; a phase-out concludes the regionalization if so required. Practical information gained from real regionalization cases in a multi-national company is given in appropriate detail to illustrate the procedure. They verify the process chosen and show the direction of further research.