BMMP at the PDI: BMMP-hosted workshops at PDI 2004.

The word transformation is getting a great deal of use these days, especially as it is applied to America's Armed Forces--and some would argue that it is overused. However, if there is an effort in which it truly applies--as well as being sorely needed--it is in the changes that are necessary to modernize business processes and systems within the Department of Defense (DoD). The fact is, without modernizing the way DoD does business, it will be nearly impossible to transform the ways in which today's warfighters achieve their mission objectives.

The business and management operations of the DoD are changing to meet the future needs of all those personnel, both military and civilian, who are involved in America's defense operations. The Business Management Modernization Program (BMMP) is distinct in its ability to drive real transformation throughout the DoD.

The 2004 Professional Development Institute (PDI) of the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC), the BMMP presentations embodied the spirit and intent of the conference theme: "Transforming Today for Tomorrow's Success." In fact, the BMMP is a dynamic catalyst for change within the DoD, focused on providing timely, accurate, and reliable information to improve business operations.

The BMMP is the largest initiative of its kind known in government or industry. It encompasses billions of dollars, millions of military personnel and employees, as well as military retirees and their surviving annuitants, through thousands of systems and business processes. Though it will take many years to accomplish its goals completely, the BMMP is now streamlining, reengineering, and standardizing business and management operations across the Department. These sweeping changes are documented in the Business Enterprise Architecture (BEA), a detailed blueprint of the effort to streamline, modernize, and improve DoD's numerous business systems and processes.

Dr. Paul Tibbits, Director of the BMMP program office (called the Directorate for Business Modernization and Systems Integration (BMSI)), provided an overview of the BMMP at the PDI. Dr. Tibbits presented to a capacity audience and addressed such questions and concerns as program objectives, timelines, and purpose.

In addition, Ms. Elizabeth McGrath, BMSI Deputy Director, presented a briefing on the impact and importance of comptroller systems certification in accordance with Section 8084 of the DoD Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Her co-presenter, Ms. Genevieve Wilson, responded to comments and questions on the system compliance process, while educating attendees on the various steps and requirements in order to receive comptroller certification for all business system information technology (IT) investments exceeding $1 million.

The Domain and Mission Area workshops offered additional information about the BMMP to more than 3,400 PDI participants. Presenters spoke on the role, purpose, and objectives of their respective business areas. Participant response during the various workshops was overwhelming as attendees gained a new, more detailed understanding of this initiative and its role within the Department. Participants realized that the BMMP is a larger and more involved project than many previously understood. Everyone in the business management arena has a role to play, and the entire Department will benefit from every contribution.

The BMMP hosted a total of nine workshops covering all aspects of the program, as listed in Table 1 on page 44. This graphic also provides the ASMC PDI workshop number and the names of the presenters. All presentations are posted to the Web sites of ASMC and BMMP. Additionally, the BMMP Overview workshop is available as an online tutorial to everyone with Internet access using the PDI 2004 Interactive Video Library.

The dynamic enthusiasm of PDI participants also was evident as they visited the BMMP booth in the exhibit hall. The booth enabled individuals to speak directly with knowledgeable BMMP staff members about current and future program efforts, learn more about the BMMP, and receive program materials such as brochures, posters, and assorted mementos.

Participants also were able to meet senior Pentagon officials during their visits to the BMMP booth. Such noted program advocates as Ms. JoAnn Boutelle, DoD's Deputy Chief Financial Officer, and domain owners such as Mr. David Smith (Accounting and Finance), Dr. Drew Miller (Strategic Planning and Budgeting), Mr. Mark Krzysko (Acquisition), and Mr. Douglas Hansen (Installations and Environment) took time to visit the booth and meet their stakeholders. It is this sponsorship and recognition that reinforces the importance--and ultimately the effectiveness--of the BMMP.

The BMMP will change continually for Many years to come, and ASMC's role of information sharing at future PDIs will continue to grow in importance with each passing year. The BMMP is driving forward toward its goal of streamlining business practices and processes across the Department of Defense, with the ultimate objective of supporting our warfighters. The program is reaching new milestones daily, and the BMMP program staff welcomes your participation in this unprecedented transformation initiative.

Table 1. BMMP-Hosted Workshops at PDI 2004

Workshop No.   Title                           Presenter

     12        Overview: Business Management   Dr. Paul Tibbits
               Modernization Program (BMMP)

     13        HRM Domain Initiatives          Ms. Cheryl Fuller
                                               Mr. Jim Fuller
                                               Mr. H. Tom Osment
                                               Colonel Brenda Johnson

     14        Logistics Domain                Ms. Ami Cronin

     15        Strategic Planning and          Dr. Drew Miller
               Budgeting Domain Initiatives

     16        IT Domain                       Mr. Mike Krieger

     17        Accounting and Finance Domain   Ms. Marsha Porter

     18        Acquisition Domain              Ms. Diane Morrison
                                               Mr. Mark Krzysko
                                               Ms. Lisa Romney

     19        Installations and Environment   Mr. Douglas Hansen
               Domain

     20        System Compliance               Ms. Elizabeth McGrath
                                               Ms. Genevieve Wilson

To learn more about the BMMP or to sign up for the program's subscription service, visit the BMMP Web site at http://www.dod.mil/comptroller/bmmp/ pages/index.html.

Elizabeth (Beth) McGrath 8 the deputy director for the Department of Defense (DAD) Business Modernization and Systems Program. In this position, she oversees the transformation and modernization of DoD's business and financial processes and systems required to support decision making at all levels throughout the Department. Ms. McGrath has also served as the deputy director for Systems Integration for the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Before joining DFAS, she served in a variety of program management roles over a full range of professional levels. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics from George Mason University. Acquisition Level III certified in Program Management, Financial Management and Logistics, Ms. McGrath is a member of the DoD Acquisition Professional Community and a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute.