The software is the patty. With this image, Simon Klaedtke, Business Development Lead at Le Bihan, explained at the “Project & Portfolio Management for Aerospace & Defense” conference why a good PPM toolset alone does not make a good PPM solution. You can’t do it without the patty, but even the best patty doesn’t make a good burger.

The Marcus Evans Group invited guests to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Frankfurt on September 8 and 9, 2026. Le Bihan participated with a joint session with cplace, titled: “Scalable excellence in project management.” Patrick Golob from cplace demonstrated what a powerful and flexible PPM toolset can look like. Simon Klaedtke added what needs to fit around the technology: processes, methods, data, governance, organization, and people. Le Bihan takes on this work as an implementation partner. The metaphor resonated and was repeatedly brought up in discussions after the session. Thanks to Patrick Golob for sharing the stage and to the Marcus Evans Group for the invitation.

The framework of the conference made it clear why the topic is urgent. The aerospace and defense industries are busier than they have been in decades; demand, pressure, and expectations are rising. Nevertheless, many organizations are still working with tools and processes built for quieter times. Anyone introducing a new PPM toolset now hardly has time for a second attempt, and all the more depends on the organization being on board from the very beginning.

Many thanks to the Marcus Evans Group for the organization and to cplace and Patrick Golob for the joint presentation.