Raytheon

PriSim® developed a custom Aerospace & Defense Business Simulation for Raytheon that incorporates the language and business dynamics of the A&D industry. Prior to developing the customized exercise, a more generic course was conducted over a four-year period using an off-the-shelf manufacturing simulation. Ultimately, it became clear that a customized solution would be even more effective in enhancing the business and leadership acumen of Raytheon decision-makers. The customized course creates a strong tie between the learning activities from the course and participants’ real-life roles and responsibilities.

Following the development of the BizFighter^TM Business Simulation, Raytheon engaged PriSim® to develop an interactive “short-course” to teach Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) and an additional course to teach Estimate at Complete (EAC). The ROIC Lab^TM and EAC Lab^TM developed by PriSim® are rolling out across all of Raytheon. In 2006, over 1,100 participants went through the ROIC Lab^TM course. In 2007, almost 1,700 participants experienced the highly interactive learnings in the ROIC Lab^TM.

“The value of the BizFighter course is that it provided adult learners opportunity to gain experience in a simulated environment. Working within a team environment, under stress (time) factors to set strategy, analyze and act upon volumes of information, and then be able to see the impact on the income statement was the value of taking this course.”
– Conflict Minerals Program Manager, Raytheon Company

“I truly enjoyed the BizFighter class and feel it was a valuable learning experience. The simulation and class experience was extremely enjoyable and the Instructor was a very knowledgeable and up-beat facilitator. The simulation provided insights and understanding as to how a business runs and this was complemented extremely well with the business instructions and lectures. The class was more than worth the time invested and I highly recommend this class.”
– Senior Program Engineer, Raytheon Technical Services Company

“The experience was spectacular – it underscored my academic lessons and enhanced my professional skills using a model of my industry. It presented the implications of business decisions in a dynamic environment that allowed me to immediately, and without an undo button, realize the impact of those decisions.”
– Program Manager, Munitions, Raytheon Technical Services Company

“The BizFighter^TM course by PriSim® surpassed all expectations of my classmates and me, and drew the entire class into being active participants. The course gave us insight into the short-term and long-term customer-focused and performance-driven decisions that have to be made by the highest levels of an organization in order to stay in business. We learned the inter-relationship between investing in Six Sigma, CMMI projects, and technology and people, and how those investments relate to the bottom line. Because of BizFighter^TM, it became clear to me that my company’s investment in this course can be linked to an overall strategic plan to grow employees’ core competencies and that in turn will help position the company for more wins on follow-on and future contracts.”
– Program Manager, Raytheon Technical Services

“The structure of the BizFighter^TM course – a simulated competition – was unlike any other course I have taken in college and beyond. This departure from the lecture style of teaching provided an exciting and challenging way to learn how business leaders make complex decisions. I was impressed by defense-specific course tailoring, and I’m taking home with me a much healthier respect for the importance of investing for the future, bidding to win, and controlling execution through metrics. I would recommend this course to anyone, at any level within a business, who is interested in leadership and management.”
– Project Manager, Raytheon Technical Services, Homeland Security Solutions

“The capstone to our Program Management curriculum is the BizFighter^TM program from PriSim®. Student evaluations as well as my personal experience with this program found it to be not simply aligned, but strategically aligned to the overarching goals and objectives of the PMC. The capstone project received outstanding accolades from all participants and became the topic of our evening PMC graduation ceremony. In every regard, the BizFighter^TM capstone project was an astounding success!! Many thanks to you and your organization for the quality and comprehensiveness of this most comprehensive tool and exercise.”
– Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Raytheon Technical Services

“BizFighter^TM was an outstanding learning experience. The insights into aspects of managing a company and the effects that decisions have on the business were incredible. Providing immediate feedback of long-term impacts of hiring, investments, and bidding strategies as well as shareholder returns reinforces the lectures and group discussions. Great course and great conduct.”
– Senior Program Manager, Raytheon Technical Services

“The Instructors kept it very fun and interactive without ‘dumbing’ things down. The simulation was the most advanced of the four I’ve done.”
– Participant, Learning and Development Program

“The BizFighter^TM course was far and away the most challenging, most ‘real life’, most interesting, most educational, and the most fun learning event I have ever participated in. That being said I have to follow with a big ‘WOW!’ From the course material to the sessions/discussions around the viewgraph data presented, the simulation, your open-forum approach, and facilitation I was fully engaged from the first 15-minutes until the end.”
– Business Manager, System Design and Performance

“A five out of five-star rating. An ideal mix of strategic business theory and practice in a fun, interesting, and dynamic learning environment.”
– Senior Manager, Strategic Plans

“It was great working PriSim® on the development of the ROIC Lab^TM Business Simulation for Raytheon. Experiencing BizFighter at Session C as a Finance Leadership Development Program (FLDP) participant really gave me the confidence that I needed to lead this project and that’s what made my decision so easy when I had to choose a consultant. PriSim® was easy to work with and responsive at all times. The ROIC Lab^TM Business Simulation is going to take Raytheon’s learning to the next level.”
– Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

“The work we did with PriSim® was extremely impressive and will be well-utilized throughout our company. The thing that most impressed me was the experience and knowledge that PriSim® came into the project with, so that there was little time wasted bringing the project to a reality. The consultants have a great way with people, and grasp quickly what is trying to be done, and made this one of the best experiences I’ve had with an outside firm. I would sign up for another project with PriSim® again with no hesitation and highly recommend them to others.”
– Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis

“I thought BizFighter^TM was extremely well done and the most engaging professional-development course that I have taken in my civilian career. BizFighter^TM ties it all together…business development, program capture, program management, finance, human resources, and corporate governance. The simulation should be a requirement for every executive joining and leading the company – especially those who want to lead the company in an enlightened and integrated manner. In a matter of a few fun-filled, energizing days, it will change your perspective on how business is done and managed. BizFighter^TM is a must for anyone that wants to succeed and excel.”
– Director, Mission Profiling and Innovation

“The (simulation) exercise is the perfect tool for testing your business acumen. I am using the program to create the teachable moments that we need to develop our next generation of leaders. (The Instructor’s) ability to see the opportunities and take full advantage of them is remarkable. He makes the process work beyond what I have experienced in any other process leader. The simulation is not only a business challenge it is an excellent tool for team-building and something you don’t want to quit. It’s as close to the real thing as possible.”
– Participant, Leadership Development Program