Open Access

Khaled Amin, Robert Friedemann

• Strategic management is pivotal within production and operations, especially in sectors like the railway industry where the complexity and scale of projects such as locomotive retrofits with European Train Control System (ETCS) installations demand meticulous planning and execution. This form of management is crucial for aligning operational efficiency and safety with broader organizational goals through systematic planning, monitoring, analysis, and assessment. Retrofit projects in the railway industry, aimed at upgrading locomotives to enhance their performance, efficiency, and compliance with new standards, are quintessential examples of strategic management at work. These projects not only demand a careful allocation of resources but also necessitate optimal logistics and resource management, particularly when components must be shipped internationally and installed on-site. The effective management of these elements ensures that the retrofitting processes are both streamlined and cost efficient.