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Probably a repost, but this excellent video talks about the problems with outsourcing everything (i.e. the L J Hart-Smith report) https://youtu.be/PQccNdwm8Tw?t

Probably a repost, but this excellent video talks about the problems with outsourcing everything (i.e. the L J Hart-Smith report) https://youtu.be/PQccNdwm8Tw?t=566 https://youtu.be/PQccNdwm8Tw?t=566 - the report itself is fairly accessible and an eye-opener on what happens when you outsource all of your core competency. The only remaining thing is a weak 'systems integrator'. And the best part is the suppliers have more leverage and less compliance/liability than you do! Because nobody even knows their name.

TaylorAlexander 2y ago
Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to take a look. I wanted to add that a great counter example in support of your point is SpaceX, who is highly integrated out of a desire for success and has clearly demonstrated engineering excellence, in some cases in direct competition with Boeing with impressive results.
- imoverclocked 2y ago
  ... and Boeing used to be the shining example in the field until they were reverse-acquired by McDonnell Douglas, 81 years after their inception. It will be interesting to see where SpaceX is in another 100 years from now and how many mistakes they repeat. IMHO, it's already being run by someone who cares more about profit than technical excellence or safety.
  - TaylorAlexander 2y ago
    Oh absolutely. Boeing is their own counter example, but the direct competition between Boeing and SpaceX at the same time and place on the same government contracts provides a very nice case study in distributed versus integrated engineering and manufacturing development. And yes, concerns with Musk abound, but certainly SpaceX is his baby and he has been pretty focused with that one, unlike other companies like Tesla and X.
  - textlapse 2y ago
    I think SpaceX has done more to spur interest in lean/mean private companies that have collectively got 'bored, working on ads' people out doing quite spectacular work. I think there are a lot of hungry people looking for some purpose - SpaceX seems to provide a sense of purpose. This might inspire more companies over time even if SpaceX eventually fades away. It's a shining example of a proper American company that Boeing's now ship-of-theseus once was.
  - Bluestein 2y ago
    > Boeing used to be the shining example in the field until they were reverse-acquired by McDonnell Douglas, 81 years after their inception This could be one of the keys here, leading to a shift of culture. Well brought up.-
Bluestein 2y ago
Video was indeed great. Moral: Outsouring? You are (obviously) still liable and responsible for you product.-

TaylorAlexander 2y ago

Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to take a look. I wanted to add that a great counter example in support of your point is SpaceX, who is highly integrated out of a desire for success and has clearly demonstrated engineering excellence, in some cases in direct competition with Boeing with impressive results.

imoverclocked 2y ago
... and Boeing used to be the shining example in the field until they were reverse-acquired by McDonnell Douglas, 81 years after their inception. It will be interesting to see where SpaceX is in another 100 years from now and how many mistakes they repeat. IMHO, it's already being run by someone who cares more about profit than technical excellence or safety.
- TaylorAlexander 2y ago
  Oh absolutely. Boeing is their own counter example, but the direct competition between Boeing and SpaceX at the same time and place on the same government contracts provides a very nice case study in distributed versus integrated engineering and manufacturing development. And yes, concerns with Musk abound, but certainly SpaceX is his baby and he has been pretty focused with that one, unlike other companies like Tesla and X.
- textlapse 2y ago
  I think SpaceX has done more to spur interest in lean/mean private companies that have collectively got 'bored, working on ads' people out doing quite spectacular work. I think there are a lot of hungry people looking for some purpose - SpaceX seems to provide a sense of purpose. This might inspire more companies over time even if SpaceX eventually fades away. It's a shining example of a proper American company that Boeing's now ship-of-theseus once was.
- Bluestein 2y ago
  > Boeing used to be the shining example in the field until they were reverse-acquired by McDonnell Douglas, 81 years after their inception This could be one of the keys here, leading to a shift of culture. Well brought up.-

Bluestein 2y ago

Video was indeed great. Moral: Outsouring? You are (obviously) still liable and responsible for you product.-