Business Improvement Process for Maintenance & Sustainment
NCMS Project #: 140866
Problem: Similar to that of local and state governments, the U.S. Air Force has unique data elements and reporting requirements demanding increased capability for translating data exchanged with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The business rules required to support these exchanges add complexity to the process. Over the course of several years, data definitions and structures have changed dramatically, increasing the effort required to maintain the business rules encompassing Air Force maintenance and sustainment needs. The data exchanges between entities have become so cumbersome and problematic that Air Force personnel find it easier to complete reports manually than to rely on legacy automated systems. Air Force leaders have recognized the need for comprehensive, transparent, accurate, and timely financial information in support of program budget and resource allocation decisions.
Benefit: These solutions will enable the general public and DoD the ability to better understand cost, schedule, and implementation to better understand a return on investment model to better support their organization through cost saving decisions. This hands-on training and understanding of the benefit analysis of the preferred COA through integrated review of process models, business use cases, capabilities, and scenarios will also help provide public services and municipalities with significant cost saving options which will contribute to a more robust local economy.
Solution/Approach: The Air Force believes that, by adopting industry standards and commercial business best practices, it could achieve the same benefits as other DoD agencies using a COTS-based enterprise budget formulation solution. The end state vision includes a flexible change management process to keep up with constantly changing budget requirements, and the ability to leverage existing data sources to provide needed capabilities.
Based on detailed market research, including an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and Preferred Solution Analysis (PSA), the Air Force has narrowed its materiel solution choices to two COTS platforms believed to require minimal development to meet functional requirements. This project should characterize risks, validate benefits, and substantiate lifecycle cost estimates.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Maximize the use of resources
- Minimize timelines
- Increase data quality (and management thereof) underwriting more effective total lifecycle management of DoD equipment, supplies and decisions
- Enhanced readiness
DOD Participation:
- Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF)/FMB/FMP/FMF
- Defense Logistics Agency Defense Agencies Initiative Program Management Office
- Headquarters Air Force (HAF)/A5/8
- Air Force Materiel Command/Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Development Planning (DP) Office
Industry Participation:
- Oracle Corporation
- Definitive Logic
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Improved readiness
Focus Area:
- Business IT and analytics