TIPping Point: From Stone Age to Synergy
Advancing cutting-edge technologies for the warfighter is a critical mission, demanding efficient project management. The 412th Test Wing Test Management Group (412TW/TMG), responsible for managing over 100 Department of the Air Force (DAF) test projects annually, faced significant obstacles due to their outdated systems. Multiple disconnected platforms, manual data entry, and siloed information created a logistical bottleneck. “We resorted to using Excel sheets and even physical paper to keep track of the same project’s identification numbers across various systems,” explained one team member, illustrating the extent of their challenges.
Enter the Project Management Information System (PMIS), a cloud-based solution built on Microsoft’s Power Platform. Designed by TMG’s Digital Transformation (DT) team, PMIS streamlines test project creation, tracking, and collaboration in a single, user-friendly platform.
PMIS is more than just a shiny new tool—it represents a cultural shift in how the 412 TW approaches work. Rather than recreating their old processes in a new system, they embraced a new way of working, prioritizing efficiency and integration.
The journey wasn’t without its bumps. The DT team readily admits that learning a new way of working requires a healthy dose of patience and willingness to make mistakes. “Allow yourself to fail,” advises one team member. “It’s okay. You can’t innovate without making mistakes—you just have to learn from them.” The team’s ability to adapt their approach stemmed from a foundation of thorough planning and clearly defined requirements established from the start.
The TMG DT team’s variety of expertise—project managers, data analysts, developers, workforce training and development specialists, and process gurus—proved essential, fostering a collaborative spirit they fondly dubbed, “Synergy, baby!” A Microsoft Cloud Solutions Architect provided crucial insight, helping the team navigate the complexities of cloud-based systems. An Air Force pilot program for Microsoft Dataverse helped TMG harness the power of modern cloud database management.
The team wove these threads of opportunity and expertise together to bring PMIS together, and it’s already yielding significant benefits, including faster project intake, cohesive planning, and enhanced visibility across the 412 TW’s project portfolio. But the journey doesn’t stop there. TMG plans to expand PMIS across the DAF’s test enterprise and integrate external partners, amplifying their collaborative, data-driven approach for even greater impact.
TMG’s story demonstrates the power of embracing transformation, prioritizing collaboration, and learning from mistakes. As one team member aptly summarizes, “We’ve gone from chiseling on stone tablets to having integrated, shared data across all team members,” empowering the entire test enterprise to do their best work. And that is something worth celebrating!
Many thanks to the Test Management Group’s Digital Transformation team, who provided the information for this story. If you’d like more information, please reach out to Ms. Nicki Kreitzman Bracamontes ([email protected]) and Mr. Tom Gilk ([email protected]).
This article was approved for public release, reference case AFMC-2025-0014.
