If Boeing is being managed like GM, Chrysler, AIG, Merril-Lynch, and all the other examples of poor management, I'd say this was a problem that took time to bubble up to the surface. And it is probably a BIG problem that goes deep and wide by the looks of it.
Many managers are given power based on connections, MBA's, or lower positions being vacated because the manager was so bad and the people talked them up to get rid of them. Others are promoted because of Affirmative Action.
Especially in complex detailed process and procedure oriented industries with high liability products, managers should be promoted from within based on real demonstrated management skills and familiarity with the product, procedures, and processes.
After all, management can screw everything up. In the 1980's, that was actually a goal of managers. Companies would hire management from a dissimilar industry and expect the toy maker manager to run a mining machinery making company. Then the managers would intentionally create chaos and say that "chaos is good". Then they would bail out after 3 years.
I know nothing about Boeing or their management, but it is a hunch.
I completely agree and will throw in about engineering. Our engineers coming out of school are entirely nursed on computers. A computer is a nice tool but it does not replace common sense and creativity. It should just be a tool to aide engineering.
Just to think back when the US was the world leader in aerospace. We put men on the moon from essentially zero knowledge and experience to success in 9 years. To repeat the same feat today they say 20 years or so? Well, I hope I don’t have to wait for them to re-engineer the pencil.
Boeing may “lose the farm” on the 787 bet. They have rolled the dice before such as the 747 and won. Today may be a different story. Will the Chinese buy the remnants of the greatest aircraft manufacturer has ever seen for a song and a dance?
Part of Boeing’s problem, well, a large part IMHO, is that, not only are their machinists unionized, but most of their engineers!
If that were not the case, Boeing would not have attempted to outsource so much of the Dreamliner’s build around the world.