Customer
Input
A number of customers
(Under Secretary, Deputy Under Secretary, Agency Administrators, Headquarters
Program Managers and Administrators, Area Directors, Research Leaders,
Research Leader's Secretaries, Area Administrative Officers, and Location
Administrative Officers) were asked for:
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Comments and recommendations
on external and internal factors that would influence the delivery of administrative
support services at all levels of the organization over the next 2-6 years.
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Critical service requirements
for the next 2-6 years.
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Services that could
be eliminated.
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Services that need to
be added.
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Critical requirements
AFM should be doing more effectively or efficiently.
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Other recommendations
for doing business differently.
AFM customers and employees
identified the most important external factors as congressional appropriations,
Office of Management and Budget streamlining goals, regulatory reform,
rapid technology change, and environmental and safety and health requirements.
Internal factors are equally complicated. Both AFM customers and employees
want to eliminate unnecessary internal rules and regulations and carry
out essential business functions and decisions at the lowest appropriate
level. To make good business decisions, AFM customers want direct access
to integrated business systems that provide timely, accurate, and relevant
information.
Within this context,
several issues captured a broad base of support. Each issue has strategic
implications, requires AFM to change the way it does business, and has
an immediate impact on service improvement.
~ The
Under Secretary's office expects AFM to serve as an objective source for
policy analysis; be leaders in strategic planning; support the development
of a diverse, multicultural REE workforce; and be a full partner in supporting
the REE mission area as a national asset.
~ Agency
Administrators, line managers, and program leaders throughout the REE mission
area want assurances that AFM will be sensitive to their unique needs.
They want AFM to anticipate their needs; develop rapid response capabilities;
and provide objective, impartial advice and assistance. They identified
three initial targets for service improvement:
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Streamline acquisition
and human resources processes. In the eyes of AFM's customers, there are
too many people involved in approving decisions, too much rigidity, and
too much time devoted to these processes.
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Improve information
technology capabilities. AFM customers report they do not have access to
important automation tools, currently available technology, and integrated
systems.
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Facilitate compliance
with environmental management, hazardous waste clean up, and health and
safety issues.
~ REE program
personnel at all levels want to concentrate on their work, unencumbered
by unnecessary rules and regulations. They want to work in a safe environment
with facilities and equipment that match their needs. They need electronic
access to others in the REE mission area, the Department of Agriculture
and other Federal agencies, and our State and industry partners.
