The Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) will soon have a set of Web-based tools focused on improving work processes for OPNAV action officers and analysts. These Web tools will improve and automate the way the staff communicates, collaborates, performs day-to-day work, and shares knowledge. Action officers in the Fleet Readiness and Logistics Directorate (N4) in collaboration with a small eBusiness firm, X.systems, Inc. originally developed these Web tools. Supporters, who have used the system, praise it for its ease of use. The tools use a powerful, yet simple Lotus Domino platform, but the key to their resounding success has been the guiding principles that have driven the N4 web efforts to date.
Principles
WEB-based
Customer focused...Who are these tools for?
Build on past successes & other people's successes
Use WEB to improve processes/capabilities
Rapid Deployment/Phased Approach
Disciplined approach
Information as a "by-product"
"Test drive" new technologies quickly
One stop shop...link vs. build
Flexible/expandable
Full/Lifecycle Support
Self-Service
Using a customer-focused approach emphasizes the underlying reason for modifying any system-maximizing efficiency while improving quality. Enabling Web-based ways of doing business results in speed of communications, reduces workload, facilitates work processes and improves work quality. Supporters of the system comment on how the system has improved their quality of work life. The principle of 'self service' is another important concept that makes the tools so valuable to the OPNAV staff. Action officers can easily manage their own information on the Web without the help or intervention of Information Technology professionals. As the Web tools are deployed throughout OPNAV, these principles will remain the guiding force for innovation. An Innovative Web Tools Functionality Board, comprised of action officers and analysts from all of the OPNAV directorates, will ensure that the tools continue to evolve.
One of the Navy's primary concerns is to assure that all DON functions are Web-enabled for information sharing across the Enterprise. The tools are compliant with the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) and complement development of the DON's Enterprise Knowledge Portal.
The tools will be deployed to all of OPNAV over the next nine months. The deployment uses a three-phase approach.
PHASE 1: BASIC COLLABORATION TOOLS - The initial building block of the OPNAV Web tool set is the "Basic Collaboration Tools." This tool set is the master navigation switchboard for the remainder of the Tools set and includes such features as: Mission, Biographies, Event Calendar, Personnel Directory, Organizational Chart, and Libraries. With the exception of the OPNAV Library feature, all other features are accessible by the general public. By using the Web, this "open" accessibility has increased productivity and information sharing within the Navy and with external partners and the fleet. In addition to the aforementioned features, the "Basic Collaboration Tools" offers an invitation only collaborative Web site known as QuickPlace. QuickPlace allows an action officer to create a secure Web site in minutes. After the creation of the Web site, the action officer can invite (or un-invite) any person with an e-mail address to participate in a collaborative effort. Once the effort is completed, the Web site can be deleted or archived by the initiating action officer.
The features provide the following functions:
•Mission - Provides the mission for the Directorate or Division
•Biographies - Provides professional background on various Directorate staff members
•Event Calendar - Provides a listing of events of interest to a large audience
•Personnel Directory - A "phonebook" type listing