Faced with a proliferation of digital initiatives in the wake of COVID, the leadership team in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) knew they needed a way to get everyone on the same page. To start, they appointed Dr. Lauren Ferguson as the RX Digital Transformation Lead and established a Digital Steering Committee (DSC). Comprised of Dr. Ferguson, the directorate’s Chief Information Technology Officer, and representatives from each technical division, the DSC developed RX’s digital strategy and a user-centric approach to its implementation.

A key component of this approach was the creation of an accessible user feedback system in Confluence. In it, users can review the digital strategy and interact with digital capability requests. A user can submit a new request via an intake form, which helps the committee understand:

• What the request is for
• How the idea aligns with RX’s mission
• Expected benefits to RX research and warfighters
• Any estimates on implementation details
  
  

Once a request is submitted, it becomes visible to all RX users, who can comment and/or indicate support for the suggestion. The DSC assesses requests based on 1) alignment with the RX mission and digital strategy and 2) implementation and impact estimates. Because transparency is the other crucial ingredient to the committee’s process, they update each request through assessment, prioritization, and (if applicable) execution, allowing users to track progress and relevant decisions.

This method has been a game changer, providing a win-win approach for both the DSC and the rest of the directorate. By being open and making it easy for people to participate, the DSC keeps the directorate in the loop, makes informed decisions, and provides mission-aligned improvements to the workforce. As Dr. Ferguson notes, “We do a better job when we can share with other people. The more I go out of my way to help others, the more it helps me, in the end.”

As evidenced by the AFRL/RX team, a transparent approach that is both mission- and user-driven is a best practice for any team pursuing digital transformation. By adopting a similar process, teams can drive tangible results that unlock the full potential of transformation and achieve their organizational goals.

Many thanks to Dr. Lauren Ferguson, Digital Transformation Lead for AFRL’s Materials & Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX), who provided the information for this story. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to her at [email protected].