Sustaining the IFM Change: The Criticality of Training

With the successful implementation of the Core Financial (CF) backbone of the IFM Program the attention of the IFM CF Team has turned to getting people familiar with doing their work on the new system, and the work is transitioning from system implementation to normal day-to-day operations. One of the normal operations will be training, e.g., training for new personnel, training refresh, system upgrades, etc. As successive modules of the IFM Program become implemented, they, too, will transition from project implementation to daily operations, requiring institutionalization of their corresponding training programs.

In an effort to design and develop an organizational response to this need, Code 114 (Center Training Office), Code 150 (Core Finance), and Code 405 (IFM Projects Office) are partnering to create a Centerwide solution to answer this need. Since IFM will implement several other modules to cover other business processes, like budget formulation, asset management, procurement, human resources management, we are inviting you to participate in this effort to design and develop an organization and process to institutionalize an integrated training approach to the IFM System.

This design will take into consideration the policies and procedures that the Agency IFM Program is currently putting into place with Code FT and other senior management officials, and will endeavor to leverage the best ideas from industry, as well.

Current plans envision a facilitated, focus group discussion using Groupware technology in the August '03 timeframe. Subsequent steps will be influenced by your input. If you would like to contribute to the design of an integrated training approach to our new IFM System at Goddard, please contact Willa Gaitanis on 301-286-1110 or willa.c.gaitanis@nasa.gov for more information.