Photo By Cassandra Locke | Chris Diedrich and Mike Whelan, systems engineering Keystones with the Defense...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT LEE, Va. - Two Defense Contract Management Agency systems engineering Keystones recently visited the Headquarters Engineering and Analysis Directorate office in Fort Lee, Va., to expand their on-the-job training in exchange for providing a field-perspective to the headquarters employees.
Chris Diedrich and Mike Whelan, mechanical engineering graduates of Colorado State University, reviewed the latest update to the systems engineering policy and provided feedback on the benefits of headquarters staff’s efforts to drive policy simplification and continuous improvement. They also developed a framework for Keystones to use on future rotations. The purpose was to provide a standardized approach to participation at headquarters.
“Because the Keystone program is such a critical part of the agency's future, the sooner headquarters is able to introduce and socialize policy with engineers in the field, the more effective we will perform as an agency,” said Nathan Scoggin, DCMA director of Systems Engineering.
“By having funds dedicated specifically for Keystone development, headquarters was able to benefit putting a simple process in place to support a Keystone
rotational assignment,” said Scoggin.
According to Scoggin, the process was as simple as a couple of phone calls and emails. The result was having ready access to the field perspective, and the enthusiasm brought by Diedrich and Whelan was refreshing. He said both were motivated to learn how policy is developed, how they can apply the policy in their offices, and how headquarters interacts with the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
“It was really exciting being able to have a hand in developing our agency’s guiding documents. I think my experience in the field using the policy was able to bring a fresh perspective to the team,” said Diedrich.
Whelan appreciates putting a face to a name, and encourages all eligible Keystones to consider making the trip to headquarters.
“We could support Keystones in our office on a perpetual basis with a one week break between each rotation. In general, we are looking for third year Keystones so they will have had some time to grow in the field prior to their rotation at headquarters,” said Scoggin.
He added certain events may be available for Keystones to gain a holistic view of the systems engineering policy. Diedrich and Whelan were able to participate in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Systems Engineering Forum held at the Pentagon.
“A fresh perspective from motivated personnel imbedded in our office will help us to identify potential blind spots,” said Scoggin.
Systems engineering Keystones interested in participating in the three-week learning experience at DCMA headquarters can contact Greg Hamilton at (804) 734-1124 or e-mail gregory.hamilton@dcma.mil for more information.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2011 08:44 |
| Story ID: | 81077 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Systems engineering Keystones gain headquarters perspective, by Cassandra Locke, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
