Official Site of the U.S. Air Force   Right Corner Banner
Join the Air Force

News > Security forces Airmen use AFSO21 to stand up security alarm focal point
 
Photos 
AFSO21
(U.S. Air Force graphic)
Download HiRes
Security forces Airmen use AFSO21 to stand up security alarm focal point

Posted 2/8/2011 Email story   Print story

    

2/8/2011 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- Members of the 99th Security Forces Squadron alarm shop recently used the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century process to help design operations for their new customer-based central focal point, with a goal of enhanced customer service.

Using the AFSO21 office's tools and guidance, Senior Master Sgt. Gabriel Gonzalez, the former 99 SFS team leader, guided his team in reviewing the current security alarm procurement process. By listening to specific customer concerns and frustrations, and with input from all team members, the team developed a new and improved process.

"It was a lot of work, but the sense of accomplishment is great," Sergeant Gonzalez said at the end of the week-long event. "We were able to clarify areas where we need to provide better information right from the get go.

"We have formed a centralized 'focal point' in the alarm shop that every customer can use to start the process for obtaining security alarms for his or her unit," he explained. "Customer focus is now our driving force."

For this event, the AFSO21 improvement team included members from the 99th SFS, the 99th Contracting Squadron and the 99th Communications Squadron.

"The base security alarm acquisition process was a perfect example of how a unit can utilize the AFSO21 program," said Diane Heinzen, the chief of the 99th Air Base Wing AFSO21 office. "Looking at ways things are done, listening to customer concerns with these processes, and then working together as a team to streamline and improve these processes is what drives an AFSO21 event."

Scott Stewart, from the 99th ABW AFSO21 office clarified the intent of the program.

"We don't fix people's problems for them, but we arm people with the proper tools and motivation to fix the problems themselves," Mr. Stewart explained. "In the end, this allows them to take ownership of the new and improved process with long-lasting results."

The AFSO21 process can help units that struggle with many issues including having to rework papers or processes many times over, having customers wait for long periods of time or having an increasing workload without an increase in manning.

For more information about the AFSO21 process, contact your organizational level AFSO21 representative.

(Courtesy of the 99th Air Base Wing AFSO21 office)



tabComments
2/10/2011 10:55:42 AM ET
@RC I hope that you did not get a bad taste in your mouth from a poorly run AFSO21 improvement event. I have been part of several and it is most definitely not simple management repackaged. In fact it is a specific process to identify waste in a process and eliminate it. I many cases we sought and received waivers to AFIs to lean out our processes. If AFSO21 were truly logical managment then NCOs and officers would have perfected all processes many years ago. The process improvement events I have been a part of seem to indicate there is still wasted effort out there to be found.
Brian, MD
 
2/9/2011 11:12:44 AM ET
Speaking from the perspective of a person working in an AFSO21 office, Reality Check is partially correct. Nothing that I have been taught or used in AFSO21 efforts is rocket science or mystical management magic. However generally the solutions are not being found by the people working in these processes because they are too busy putting out day to day fires and not solving the root cause of the problems they face. After people have floundered and got frustrated they turn to AFSO21 and 8 Step problem solving to fix their real problems. Maybe after everyone starts truly solving the root causes of their problems and not spraying and praying with random solutions they will be able to shut down AFSO21 offices.
AFSO21 guy, Florida Panhandle
 
2/8/2011 8:53:33 PM ET
Do we still really have AFSO21 offices? Probably a good place to start with budget cuts. AFSO21 is nothing more than simple logical management repackaged and sold to the gullible. If you are a really NCO or Officer you are already practicing this. Comment not personal or directed at SMSgt Gonzalez. Glad to see him making improvements.
Reality Check, Nut House
 
Add a comment

 Inside AF.mil

ima cornerSearch

tabSubscribe AF.MIL
tabMore HeadlinesRSS feed 
Army UH-1H finds new home with Air Force

Academy cadets to conduct 'Flightline of the Future' research

Intel experts converge for 2012 GEOINT Symposium  1

AF training instructor responds to traffic accident  1

Air Force leaders salute Navy on 237th birthday  1

AFSPC commander speaks at 11th Annual Air Force IT Day event

Through Airmen's Eyes: U.K. Airman places in 61.2-mile ultra-marathon  1

Academy cyber competition team takes 1st at NYU event  1

Gen. Shelton convenes accident investigation

Airmen rally to help save lives  1

Lost Johnny Carson film found at March

Brig. Gen. Witham nominated as ANG deputy director

AFPC Airman: Don't forget, they're not all home

Muncy Honored With Second Highest Private Citizen Award

tabCommentaryRSS feed 
Standards? What standards?   3

First things first: Get your degrees in order  40


Site Map      Contact Us     Questions     Security and Privacy notice     E-publishing