Maturing an Adaptive Synergy in Air Defense Systems

In this blog post, we will be introducing the powerful tool of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and how they can be used to create a comprehensive improvement implementation plan for the development of an advanced air defense system compliant with DoD 5000.2. We will also be showcasing the power of visioning through the use of a "postcard from the future" scenario, where we will imagine the successful implementation of our plan and the impact it has had on the project. OKRs are a powerful framework for setting and achieving goals, and they can be used to create a clear and actionable plan for addressing the root causes of issues in the development of air defense systems. The OKRs for Q1 of Year 2 of our project will include specific and measurable objectives, such as maturing our agile practices, incorporating more adaptive solutions like Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), automating hardware testing, and establishing a plan for full digital twin capabilities. The implementation plan for these OKRs will include a combination of training, mentoring, and coaching for our team members to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to effectively implement these new practices and technologies. Additionally, we will be establishing cross-functional teams and working closely with our government customer team to ensure alignment and collaboration throughout the project. The "postcard from the future" scenario that we will be envisioning is one where the implementation of this plan has been successful, and we are seeing significant improvements in the development of our air defense system. This includes faster time-to-market, improved efficiency and cost savings, and increased satisfaction from our government customer team. In conclusion, the use of OKRs, an improvement implementation plan, and visioning through a "postcard from the future" scenario can be powerful tools in addressing the root causes of issues in the development of advanced air defense systems and building an adaptive synergy compliant with DoD 5000.2.

OKR Example

Objective: Maturing Agile practices and incorporating more adaptive solutions in the development of an air defense system compliant with DoDi 5000.2 Key Results:

• Train at least 85% of hardware team members in Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) by the end of Q1.

• Implement Enterprise Kanban Systems to increase collaboration and visibility across hardware, software, and government customer trains.

• Implement Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to improve requirements management and system integration.

• Automate at least 50% of hardware testing by the end of Q1 using digital twin capabilities.

• Establish a plan for full digital twin capabilities by the end of Q1.

• Achieve at least 20% reduction in cost overruns as measured by project financials by the end of Q1.

• Achieve at least 15% improvement in schedule performance as measured by project timelines by the end of Q1.

• Achieve at least 10% improvement in technical performance as measured by system requirements by the end of Q1.

Q1-Year 2 Implementation Plan Example:

1. Establish an Agile framework within the organization, with at least 80% of teams trained and utilizing Scrum or Kanban methodologies by the end of Q1. This includes providing training and coaching for team members on Agile practices and principles, as well as implementing tools like Jira and Enterprise Kanban Systems to support Agile processes.

2. Identify and coach at least 5 Agile evangelists across the organization who can act as informal mentors and peers. This includes identifying individuals who are already demonstrating Agile practices and providing them with additional training and support to help them become advocates for Agile within the organization.

3. Hold at least 2 workshops on first principles thinking and its application in air defense by the end of Q1. This includes providing training for team members on how to apply first principles thinking to identify root causes and design solutions that address them.

4. Increase inter-team collaboration by implementing at least 2 cross-functional projects by the end of Q1. This includes encouraging teams to work together on shared goals and objectives, and providing the necessary resources and support to help them collaborate effectively.

5. Achieve at least 20% improvement in efficiency and reduction of waste as measured by key performance indicators by the end of Q1. This includes implementing practices like continuous integration and delivery, test-driven development, and continuous improvement to help teams work more efficiently and effectively.

6. Increase employee satisfaction related to work culture and collaboration by at least 15% as measured by employee engagement surveys by the end of Q1. This includes fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement, and providing opportunities for team members to give and receive feedback on their work.

7. Incorporate MBSE and automated hardware testing into development process. This includes training and providing resources for team members to use these tools and methods, and incorporating them into development processes and product roadmaps.

8. Implement digital threading between finance and engineering teams to improve data management and decision making. This includes setting up systems and training team members to effectively use and share data across teams.

9. Develop a plan for full digital twin capabilities. This includes identifying requirements, researching solutions and outlining a plan for implementation.

10. Maturing the product roadmap across hardware, software and government customer trains, This includes incorporating customer feedback and understanding the needs of all stakeholders to improve the product development process and achieve mission success.

A Q1- Year 2 Post Card from the Future of Air Defense Systems

The post card from the future is written from the perspective of the Program Director and the leader representing the government customer team, looking back on the successful implementation of the Q1 plan for maturing agile practices and incorporating more adaptive solutions in the development of the air defense system compliant with DoDi 5000.2.

Subject: Progress Report - Q1, Year 2 - Adaptive Synergy for Air Defense System CC:

• Hardware Development Team

• Software Development Team

• Government Customer Team

• Operations Team

• Supply Chain Team

• Quality Assurance Team

• Finance Team

• Human Resources Team

• Executive Leadership Team

Dear All, As we reflect on the past quarter, we are thrilled to report that our team has made significant progress towards achieving our objective of building an adaptive synergy for the air defense system. Our implementation of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and automated hardware testing, as well as the development of digital threading between finance and mechanical drawings, has enabled us to create a fully-realized digital twin of the system, providing us with a comprehensive understanding of its behavior and performance. Our key results have exceeded expectations, with a 20% increase in efficiency, 25% reduction in waste, and 30% increase in employee satisfaction related to work culture and collaboration as measured by key performance indicators and employee engagement surveys. One of the key areas of success was our ability to break down silos and increase collaboration across teams. By implementing enterprise Kanban, we were able to streamline communication and workflow, leading to a significant reduction in delays and bottlenecks. This has allowed us to achieve our mission of providing a robust and reliable air defense system to the government customer. We also implemented a product roadmap that integrated hardware, software, and customer trains. This enabled us to align our efforts and resources with the customer's needs and priorities, ensuring that we were meeting their requirements and delivering value. We are proud of the progress we have made and are confident that our adaptive synergy approach will continue to drive success for our air defense system in the future. We would like to thank our government customer team for their support and collaboration throughout this process. Together, we have achieved great things and we look forward to continuing our work together.

Sincerely, [Program Director's name], [LEADER representing the customer team's name]