Yesterday’s answers to tomorrow’s questions - Re-learning how to organize aircraft development from scratch at Saab and how to get faster.
Sweden is undertaking its largest rearmament effort since the Cold War, but rapid capability development is hampered by long lead times and generational gaps in organizational knowledge. Saab, as a central actor, faces the challenge of developing a new fighter aircraft without recent greenfield experience. This project addresses how organizations with long development cycles can redevelop leadership and organizational capabilities for rapid, high-stakes innovation under uncertainty.
By combining historical analysis, embedded fieldwork, and process studies, the project will uncover how past aircraft were developed quickly and what organizational conditions made this possible. It will also identify why today’s processes are slower despite advanced digital tools. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with Saab, through rotating placements across departments and interviews with senior engineers and veterans. Archival materials and internal documentation will be synthesized into models and insights directly applicable to Saab’s future development programs.
The project will contribute to both academic theory (complex systems development, decision-making under uncertainty) and Saab’s preparedness ahead of a national decision on next-generation fighter development. Results will be shared via workshops, training modules, and joint publications, ensuring broad organizational impact and long-term competence renewal.
By combining historical analysis, embedded fieldwork, and process studies, the project will uncover how past aircraft were developed quickly and what organizational conditions made this possible. It will also identify why today’s processes are slower despite advanced digital tools. The research will be conducted in close collaboration with Saab, through rotating placements across departments and interviews with senior engineers and veterans. Archival materials and internal documentation will be synthesized into models and insights directly applicable to Saab’s future development programs.
The project will contribute to both academic theory (complex systems development, decision-making under uncertainty) and Saab’s preparedness ahead of a national decision on next-generation fighter development. Results will be shared via workshops, training modules, and joint publications, ensuring broad organizational impact and long-term competence renewal.