The presentation identifies key challenges and trends in the aero industry. It highlights the growing importance of simulation management in the context of an increasing role of simulation in the aircraft design and certification.

• Lead time reduction
• Improved and earlier performance optimization
• Development cost reduction (e.g. on physical testing) or cost avoidance
• First time right design (e.g. no costly late redesigns)....

However there is a considerable challenge to fully cash these benefits in the present context of globalization and massive technological innovation. Among key success factors is the implementation of Competence Management, a mandatory condition to ensure robust simulation processes in the whole supply chain.