Engineering Transformation

Steering Northern Rail's Evolution with Strategic Repurposing and Enhanced Productivity.

Background

Until February 2020, Arriva Trains Northern was a train operating company in England owned by Arriva that operated the Regional Railways North East franchise.

Challenge

The arrival of new advanced rolling stock in 2020 meant engineering maintenance teams had to develop robust plans to repurpose 4 engineering depots across North England. Additionally, there was requirement to accelerate continuous improvement to deliver effective fleet utilisation.

Solution

Depot and maintenance management teams were engaged at all 4 depots to define and agree the specific challenges facing each facility with regards to short term effectiveness and longer term depot development. A workstream approach was created with 8 pillars of programme delivery identified; Resource Management, Financial Management. Management Control, Benefits Management, Organisational Governance, Stakeholder Management and Risk Management. A sense of urgency was created within the programme through identifying a leadership group, attracting volunteers, removing barriers to change, generating short-term wins (and confidence in the programme) before accelerating change within the organisation. Project management tools were created for the organisation along with change management processes and governance with an emphasis on Libra engaging and empowering stakeholders rather than imposing solutions upon them.

Results

Through our guidance, the Engineering Depot Management Teams were strategically aligned. With a focus on coaching and mentoring, we championed the engineering depot management to devise local change plans that supported the 2020 Change Programme for Northern. Moreover, Libra Europe empowered depot teams to not only own but also refine their plans, setting the stage for marked productivity advancements.