GOAL DESCRIPTION: The aim of this goal is to empower Airmen across the organization to find better ways of accomplishing their mission. We need to create a culture, provide the tools and training, and make it easier for anyone in our workforce to navigate that ecosystem successfully. There are amazing amounts of resources and funding our enterprise can tap into and it will continue to grow.
2023 OBJECTIVES
G2.A – Develop – Shepherd 3 new innovation ideas into implementation while managing 22 existing innovation projects
G2.B – Capability – Support Installation & Mission Support Sparks with funding and project tracking
G2.C – Community – Increase and scale 5 outreach events
G2.D – Collaboration – Grow collaboration opportunities 50%
G2.E – Align Center Functional Area Management of Process Operations and Major Graded Areas to drive structural, procedural, behavioral, and sustainable change management solutions in advancing a benefit-led system & process maturity model aligning talent management with technical delivery through a robust single enterprise solution scalable at each command
DRIVING THE MISSION
We are working hand-in-hand with defense-wide innovation teams and AFIMSC contracting, civil engineer, security forces and services spark cells to further innovation and process operations. These technology and process changes impact the lives of Airmen and Guardians and strengthen the bond and working relationship between us, our centers and all we serve.
2022 PROGRESS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
During our shift to move the timing of the AFIMSC Innovation Rodeo to August, we hosted the first PSU Rodeo to allow our functional community experts to advocate for those innovation ideas that would be most impactful at their level. We selected and funded eight PSU innovations and have successfully transitioned all those projects to contracts. Additionally, we hosted another Innovation Rodeo that was successfully live streamed to thousands of viewers. The Innovation Rodeo also selected eight finalists. The top three finalists received funding for their projects and the other five will continue receiving project management and advocacy support from the AFIMSC innovation team.
BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT
Our biggest achievement was our ability to quickly move applications from ideation through execution. The AFIMSC Expeditionary Support and Innovation Directorate executed 137% of its 2022 fiscal year budget mostly due to the innovation team’s hard work to prepare for end-of-year funding opportunities. This funding is important not only for individual projects, but validates AFIMSC’s dedication to progress in the enterprise innovation space. Additionally, the innovation transparency platform generated out of AFIMSC called VISION was transferred to AFWERX and will be leveraged as a Department-wide platform for innovation project collaboration.
IMPACT
The innovations we are working on have a direct impact on the daily lives of service members, Guardians and their families. For example, intelligent lockers get packages to Airmen more quickly, even when the post office is closed; using artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze and determine roof and facility condition can replace the need for Airmen and Guardians to do physical inspections; and the Kinderspot app helps military families find short-term childcare. Additionally, the work we’re doing helps innovators and project managers connect and collaborate Air Force wide, reducing project duplication.
GOALS FOR 2023
We are posturing for a strong 2023 to expand our DoD and industry partnerships, including work with AFIMSC PSU spark cells. We are also partnering with Installation and Mission Support Weapons and Tactics Conference and data analytics teams to increase industry and government collaboration. Overall, these partnerships will help our team scale and implement growth goals. Additionally, we will also continue improving our work processes to allow for continued senior leader and stakeholder awareness and insights as we look to begin optimizing, scaling and transitioning projects faster.
IN THE NEWS
(Current as of Dec. 22, 2022)