I conclude our examination of key forces that have shaped aircraft design and manufacturing – and subsequently, the MAX 8 – by addressing major trends in manufacturing operations and the regulatory environment.

Then, we turn to the MAX's origin story and the context it set for design. The competitive threat posed by the Airbus A320neo created dilemmas for Boeing that constrained its options. Emerging from this were three critical program business imperatives that profoundly shaped how program leadership thought and acted, setting the stage for risky decision-making.

Access detailed show notes at: www.bradivie.com/podcast.