Workshops

Workshop 1: Introduction to Obsolescence Management and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages Workshop
New to obsolescence management? Can barely spell DMSMS? Join our interactive introductory workshop on Obsolescence Management and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). This workshop will cover fundamental concepts, including proactive obsolescence management strategies, lifecycle planning, and supply chain resilience. Through engaging presentations, case studies, lessons learned, and interactive discussions, participants will gain valuable insights into identifying, assessing, and addressing obsolescence challenges. Led by seasoned experts in obsolescence management and DMSMS, this workshop offers a unique opportunity for professionals to get a fundamental understanding of the topic that you will then be able to use for the remainder of the symposium. 

Workshop 2: IEC 62402 Obsolescence Management Standards Workshop
Our IEC62402 Obsolescence Management standard workshop offers a deep dive into strategies and methodologies needed to address the challenges posed by product obsolescence. Throughout the workshop, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the standard's framework, discuss the importance of having an obsolescence policy in place, draft an obsolescence management plan to meet the contract/product requirements, and conducting a risk assessment to determine items to be proactively tracked based on the obsolescence management plan. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and real-world examples, attendees will acquire practical tools and techniques to develop robust obsolescence management plans tailored to their specific organizational needs, ensuring long-term product sustainability and operational resilience. Facilitated by industry experts, this workshop provides a unique opportunity for professionals to exchange insights, best practices, and lessons learned in obsolescence management. 

Workshop 3: Electronic COTS Assembly Product Selection Workshop
Our electronic COTS assembly product selection workshop walks through a sample COTS product selection for use in safety critical or mission critical Aerospace, Defense, High Performance, and Space applications. Examples of critical electronic COTS assemblies include higher-level assemblies from box level to card level such as, flat panel displays, hard drives, single board computers, circuit card assembly (CCA) boards, defibrillators, or medical screening devices. This workshop will leverage the COTS assembly product selection checklist that was developed between industry and government. Through hands-on exercises and in-depth discussions, attendees will explore the intricacies of evaluating COTS products for their suitability in demanding environments, ensuring adherence to stringent safety and quality requirements. Led by industry specialists with extensive experience in COTS product selections in the aerospace, defense, and high-performance sectors, this workshop provides a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and decision-making. By the workshop's conclusion, participants will be equipped with the expertise and tools necessary to confidently select the most appropriate COTS assemblies for their specific applications. 

Workshop 4: Turning an obsolescence assessment into a Tech Refresh Strategy
Join our interactive workshop on crafting a proactive Tech Refresh strategy based on the outcomes of an obsolescence assessment. In this workshop, participants will dive into the essential components of effective Tech Refresh planning, leveraging the findings from obsolescence assessments to anticipate and address future challenges proactively. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and hands-on exercises, attendees will gain practical expertise in developing tailored refresh strategies that aim to minimize life cycle costs, proactively treat obsolescence risks, and ensure long-term operational resilience for the system. Facilitated by industry experts well-versed in both obsolescence management and technology refresh planning, this workshop offers a collaborative environment for professionals to exchange insights and best practices. By the workshop's conclusion, participants will emerge equipped with the knowledge and strategies necessary to implement proactive Tech Refresh plans and position their programs for sustained success and obsolescence resiliency. 

Workshop 5: Effective Communication and Professional Persuasion Workshop
This workshop focuss on the soft skills needed by obsolescence managements and sustainment engineers. Symposium attendees often return from events with critical knowledge to share yet often find it challenging to efficiently transfer that information to co-workers. The modern workplace is saturated with meetings, calls, proposals, presentations, reports, and requests. How can you be sure you’ll stand out from the crowd? Leveraging skills from a variety of disciplines such as psychology, copywriting, negotiation, and storytelling, this talk provides specific and actionable guidance that will improve emails, presentations, speaking for an audience, active listening, and addressing concerns. We’ll explore the complex issue of effective communication by examining topics such as the creative process for gathering and refining ideas, guidelines to enhance the punch and clarity of writing, the crucial elements of preparation and execution of meetings and presentations, as well as strategies to engage with opposing viewpoints and concerns in a productive manner. A robust and dynamic list of resources and references will be included, ranging from books, lectures, videos, academia, interviews, and entertainment. With an emphasis on clear and concise advice, these fundamentals of professional persuasion will aid attendees interested in enhancing collaboration, sharing information, gaining buy-in from coworkers and supervisors, and navigating high-level discussions. 

Workshop 6:  Business Case, Cost Controls and Cost Estimating for Obsolescence Management
This workshop offers invaluable insights into creating an obsolescence management business case, cost controls, and future OM cost estimating. Through engaging presentations, interactive exercises, and real-world case studies, participants will gain practical tools and techniques to assess, budget for, and estimate the costs associated with obsolescence. Led by seasoned experts in obsolescence management and cost forecasting, including being involved with developing IEC 62402-2, a standard on Obsolescence Management costs. This workshop provides a collaborative platform for professionals to exchange insights and best practices. By the workshop's conclusion, attendees will emerge equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop business cases, robust cost budgeting and accurate future cost estimates, enabling them to navigate the complexities of obsolescence management with confidence and foresight.

Workshop 7: Supply Chain Management and Contracting for Obsolescence Management
Very rarely is an organization have a completely vertically integrated supply chain where everything is developed and produced in-house. Odds are that your program or organization will depend on others to develop and produce materials, products, software, and other systems that must then be integrated together. Without the right information and data from the supply chain, managing obsolescence issues will only increase over time. Throughout this workshop, participants will delve into essential aspects of contracting for obsolescence management, including defining clear requirements and objectives, and incorporating obsolescence management provisions into contractual agreements effectively. Attendees will gain valuable insights into working with your supply chain partners to promote proactive obsolescence management awareness and processes. Led by industry experts with experience in obsolescence management in the supply chain as a large integrator of products, this workshop provides a collaborative environment for professionals to exchange insights and best practices. By the workshop's conclusion, participants will emerge equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to foster strong partnerships with suppliers and contractors to proactively deal with the risks posed by obsolescence. 

Workshop 8: Proactive Software Obsolescence Management
This workshop will focus on methodologies to proactively manage software obsolescence. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical strategies and practices necessary to navigate the complexities of software obsolescence, its relationships to cyber security, and dealing with interdependencies to hardware. Through engaging presentations, collaborative discussions, and real-world case studies, attendees will learn the best ways to proactively identify software obsolescence, how to quantify program risks and impacts, and the importance of resolving software obsolescence to maintain system integrity and security. Led by industry experts with real-world experience in managing software obsolescence, this workshop offers a unique opportunity for professionals to exchange insights and best practices. By the workshop's conclusion, participants will emerge equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement robust software obsolescence management practices, foster collaboration between software and cybersecurity teams, and emphasize the importance of software bills of material. 

Workshop 9: Supply Chain Risk Management and Obsolescence
This interactive workshop focuses on supply chain risk management (SCRM) and proper SCRM must consider obsolescence when identifying risks that may impact the supply chain. Participants get a deep dive into the intricate relationships between obsolescence and supply chain resilience. Through engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and real-world case studies, attendees will explore the multifaceted ways in which hardware and software obsolescence can disrupt supply chains, leading to increased risks and cyber vulnerabilities. Led by seasoned experts in supply chain management and obsolescence management, this workshop offers a collaborative platform for professionals to exchange insights and best practices. By the workshop's conclusion, participants will emerge equipped with practical strategies and actionable tools to integrate cost-effective implementation of supply chain risk management and obsolescence management. 

Workshop 10: Case Study Analysis and Best Practice Sharing Workshop
Participants in this workshop will go through real-world scenarios to discuss strategies, best practices, and lessons learned from successful obsolescence management challenges and initiatives. Ask yourself, what would you do if this happened on your program or project. Attendees will discuss challenges, lessons learned, and best practices, providing valuable insights and inspiration for implementing effective obsolescence management strategies and resolutions in their own organizations. Case studies will include both proactive and reactive obsolescence identification and resolutions. By the workshop's conclusion, participants will emerge equipped with new insights to address obsolescence challenges within their own organizations, foster a culture of proactive obsolescence management.