Issue 101 - 16 Mar 98
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Weekly Video TeleConference
Limited Partnership to Provide Housing at NAVSTA Everett, WA
Weekly Video TeleConference
The Field Support Activity is developing a classified system in conjunction with a remotely located contractor. Four subsystem product development teams are handling the development effort; each comprised of government/contractor personnel. The integrated product teams (IPTs) are augmented by government/contractor process teams which address system characteristics such as supportability and maintainability as well as requirements allocation and verification process-functions which cross product team boundaries. Process team members are integrated into the IPTs.
Each product and process team has an allocated weekly Video Teleconference (VTC) time slot. VTC participants include the contractor and the program office as well as any other interesting activities. Current issues are addressed and potential problems and courses of action identified. Discussions of VTC use usually focus on savings of time and travel funds, but the FSA has found that the regular interaction enabled by the VTC has greatly improved team synergy.
The VTC ex-changes have in effect become weekly conversations that tend to replace scripted formal meetings. Because team members address one another on a regular basis, they know one another's thought processes. Issues can usually be surfaced quickly and relatively easily, and concensus facilitated. The personality of each team varies with its members, particularly those of its government and contractor leaders: some teams prefer an agenda, others "go around the room." One team with a particularly diverse and complex set of design challenges provides a technical outline of the items to be addressed in advance (via e-mail) to all participants so they can prepare themselves. Each matter which can then treated in greater detail during the VTC.
It is a well accepted fact that the key to teamwork is effective communication. Use of VTC in lieu of travel not only saves money but it can increase the frequency of communication.
Limited Partnership to Provide Housing at NAVSTA Everett, WA
EFA NW is proud to be part of the cross-functional team executing the Limited Partnership pilot project for NAVSTA Everett, WA. This project is in the Congressional notification stage, and for a $5.9M investment will provide 185 housing units for the Everett area. Privatization success requires the combined efforts of individuals from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, NAVFAC Headquarters, the Engineering Field Divisions and Major Claimants and Activities implementing business agreements with private sector developers. The Everett pilot demonstrated the importance of coordination with local municipalities during the development process. Plans are underway for business agreements to provide an additional 350 units at NAVSTA Everett and 600 units at Submarine Base Bangor, WA.
