Jody Feldman, Senior Associate with expertise in change management.
When it comes to efficiency, we can’t lose sight of the fact that every agency also has a mission to deliver. While the goal may be to increase efficiency, it’s equally important to maintain effectiveness – that is, achieving the objective and meeting the mission. For example, no one wants to stop sending Social Security checks because, even if it might cost less, it sacrifices the mission. So, the ultimate goal is continued service for the citizenry, while cutting costs and doing things in a better way. That could mean doing things faster, with fewer people, or through a cheaper process, but efficiency can’t come at the cost of quality.
Technology is a key enabler of efficiency programs, but just because an agency has the technology in place doesn’t mean the desired results are guaranteed. Agencies must also invest in developing the right process, engaging the right people, and deploying the right equipment.
Booz Allen engages organizations on the full spectrum of opportunities for process improvement and implementing new technologies. We provide analytical support, design new systems and processes, and implement these systems, supporting the transition from beginning to end. This includes training for employees to help change behaviors and encourage buy-in as well as revising performance metrics to determine whether the agency remains on track to fulfill their mission. If an agency can do all of this at once – align the technology, process, people, and infrastructure so they all work together – the chances of actually implementing and realizing efficiency improvements expand significantly.
