For thyssenkrupp System Engineering, Inc. — a project-based company operating in complex industrial environments — managing thousands of projects each year is a complex challenge. Every initiative must pass through a rigorous six-step quality gate process, with strict requirements for safety, compliance, and documentation. As the business grew, so did the complications of keeping teams aligned, maintaining transparency, and ensuring that every project met the highest standards. The company recognized the need for a unified system — one that could bring together project management and quality oversight into a single, reliable record of truth for both internal operations and external reporting.

Earlier, thyssenkrupp relied on a homegrown quality management system that operated separately from its project management tools. This separation made it difficult to get real-time visibility into project status and quality compliance. The project management tool was not providing the insight into project status that the company needed. Reporting was manual, labor-intensive, and prone to delays, leaving teams without the clarity needed to execute tasks efficiently and meet stringent safety and quality standards. The challenge was clear: to modernize and unify these processes, enabling teams to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence.

Overcoming fragmentation and manual effort.

thyssenkrupp’s legacy systems created silos that slowed down operations and increased the risk of errors. Quality management was handled in one system, while project management lived in another. Teams often found themselves duplicating work, manually entering data, and struggling to keep up with the pace of business. Reporting the status of each project and its compliance with quality standards became a time-consuming task, with information scattered across multiple platforms.

The lack of integration meant that project updates, safety incidents, and compliance documentation had to be tracked and reported manually. This not only increased the workload but also made it difficult to ensure consistency and accuracy. As the number of projects grew — reaching over 2,500 annually and involving more than 10,000 tasks — the need for a better solution became urgent.

Building a unified system of record with Adobe Workfront.

The turning point came when thyssenkrupp adopted Adobe Workfront and Workfront Fusion as the foundation for its operational system of record. With these applications, the company was able to visualize the status of every project, automate critical workflows, and centralize control over key processes. At first, Workfront was brought in as a replacement to the previous project management software.

However, with the adoption of Workfront Fusion, the company quickly realized the potential of Workfront as a unified operational system of record. Workfront provided a single platform where teams could manage projects, track quality checkpoints, and ensure compliance with safety standards. Quality management was transformed with automated scheduling of checkpoint meetings, completion of checklists that generated open issues on quality, and tracking of additional metrics throughout the project lifecycle. Health and safety incidents were recorded in alignment with occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) 300 standards, ensuring that every event is documented and addressed promptly.

Document management became more efficient with version control and approval workflows that maintained accuracy and compliance. Training sessions, both internal and external, could be requested and approved within Workfront, which streamlined the process and ensured that all necessary certifications stay in place. Logistics operations, including outbound shipping requests and bills of lading, were captured and managed seamlessly while facility maintenance records and checklists were tracked for full visibility.

Through Workfront Fusion, thyssenkrupp automated over 16 million operations, eliminating redundant manual steps and reducing the risk of errors. The integration of project management and quality oversight into a single system allowed teams to focus on strategic growth and innovation, rather than getting bogged down in administrative tasks.

Delivering tangible results and strategic value.

The impact of this transformation has been significant. Processes that once required hours of manual effort are now automated, freeing teams to focus on higher-value work.

Stakeholders across the organization have praised the new system. Leaders in assembly, project management, and engineering describe Workfront as a “one-stop shop for operational needs,” and an “essential platform for strategic growth.” Third-party auditors have recognized thyssenkrupp’s processes as “best in class” since the implementation of Workfront, highlighting the company’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

The senior leadership at thyssenkrupp now has visibility into key business indicators like project performance, first-time-through quality metrics, department performance, health and safety metrics, amongst many more. The company has transformed into a modern way of working by directing all work through Workfront, ensuring visibility at all levels of the organization.

The benefits extend beyond efficiency. By consolidating project and quality management into a single, governed system — thyssenkrupp has improved compliance, reduced risk, and enhanced transparency. Teams can now access real-time information on project status, quality checkpoints, and safety incidents, enabling faster decision-making and more effective collaboration.

As thyssenkrupp continues to evolve, the company is well-positioned to meet the demands of a dynamic industry. The unified system enables teams to work smarter, respond faster to challenges, and deliver projects that meet the highest standards of quality and safety. The transformation has set the stage for continued excellence, proving that with the right approach, operational truth is not just possible — it’s sustainable.

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