Managing a ‘masterpiece’ BEOING FRNOT IERS / AUGUST 2013 11 As a member of the 737 MAX Business Operations team, Veronica Wipp helps airplane developers manage and integrate the thousands of details that go into creating Boeing’s new singleaisle airplane. In this Frontiers series that profiles employees talking about their jobs, Wipp describes her enthusiasm for turning data points into a real commercial airplane. I have a rewarding job because at the end of a development program you have a beautiful airplane that people will fly every day. My job is to coordinate, analyze and integrate all the details that keep development of the 737 MAX on track, and I feel a great sense of ownership in that. In my 16 years with Boeing I’ve always supported development programs, working on the next new airplane. I thrive off the challenge—that edge to do better than the last time. I started my career in retail, but at the end of the day I didn’t feel an overall sense of accomplishment because I didn’t see any impact from what I did. Working in the airplane development environment constantly motivates me because I see the progress the team is making every day. On the MAX I am responsible for our Management Information System, which keeps the program performing efficiently and according to plan. Even in a task that seems simple, like putting together a chart, I strive for perfection. Because it’s not just about the numbers. A chart does not always show you the big picture. To keep the program moving forward everyone needs to understand what’s driving the data. As the integrator of all this data, I’ve learned how to ask the right questions of the team, to pull together a complete picture of how the project is coming together. That’s why I see the final deck of charts that show our weekly performance as a masterpiece. Everyone on the team has contributed to the overall picture of the progress being made. At the end of our weekly program reviews, I can see everyone’s efforts come into focus. I can proudly say, “What a great week our team has accomplished,” and that is really satisfying. This feeling of accomplishment for me extends beyond the office. When I see an airplane flying overhead—many of them from development programs I contributed to—I feel inspired. And when the 737 MAX takes to the sky, I’ll know that I was a part of getting that airplane off the ground. And that is a tremendous feeling. n lauren.l.penning@boeing.com This employee helps keep 737 MAX development on track By Lauren Penning and photo by Marian Lockhart “Working in the airplane development environment constantly motivates me because I see the progress the team is making every day.” – Veronica Wipp
Frontiers August 2013 Issue
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