BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Defense Logistics Agency has a large-scale mission managing the end-to-end global defense supply chain. With locations and personnel around the world supporting this mission, it is essential that operations and processes are efficient and worthwhile. One of the agency’s recent initiatives to evaluate and improve its operations is titled “Addition by Subtraction.”
This initiative allows agency members to offer suggestions on how to streamline processes for a more effective approach.
“We’re examining tasks that we can divest of or reinvest into different mission sets,” said Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, the DLA director. “We ask ourselves, ‘How can we add overall to our strength?’”
The call for ideas was originally sent throughout DLA Disposition Services earlier this year, inviting employees to submit suggestions through the Addition by Subtraction website. The goal is to identify tasks or requirements that can be eliminated, removed, or modified to save time or costs.
“We are still taking suggestions,” said John McDonald, a program analyst tasked with tracking submissions to the program. “Anytime someone has a method to make things more streamlined or efficient, please use the suggestion program mailbox. We will consider anything that makes our jobs more efficient.”
These efficiencies may take many forms, from operational changes to cutting unnecessary training requirements, but all share the same goal – ensuring the agency’s workforce can focus on supporting the warfighter.
“If I can save one hour of Learning Management System training for each person in Disposition Services every year, that’s the equivalent of a full-time employee,” said Mike Cannon, director of DLA Disposition Services. “That’s one more person’s worth of work we can get done for the whole year. For example, I’ve asked the team to review any LMS courses assigned to a large group of people and determine if they are truly needed by all personnel.”
Through this initiative, there have been multiple improvements, including a reduction in the size of the Monthly Activities Report and enhancements to the process of reviewing Defense Travel System vouchers. For those who have suggestions, be sure to answer the following questions:
1. What is the task or requirement that can be subtracted (stopped/removed/modified)?
2. Why can it be subtracted (stopped/removed/modified)?
3. What is the addition (will this save time or costs)?
4. How will this save time or costs?
5. How much time or costs will be saved?
Employees can send suggestions to dispsvcsadditionbysubtraction@dla.mil but should also notify their supervisors of their submission.