Trip Report

Organizational Performance Consultant (OPC) Conference

23-25 September 2008

ADM Allen with the OPC Conference Attendees

Conference Agenda
DATE TOPICS AND ACTIVITIES
09/23/08 Standardized survey use
OPC program measurement
Areas of OPC focus
Change Management
CG Enterprise Architecture
Address by ADM Allen
Update on CPEC and CQA program
09/24/08 Address by RADM Breckenridge
OAS 208
Share best practices
Innovation update
CGBI
09/25/08 Modernization Effort panel
Expo team brief
AHA team brief

Purpose:
Neal Thayer, LCDR Christina Deal, and Jim Pennewell attended the Organizational
Performance Consultant (OPC) Conference 23-25 September at The National Conference Center,
Lansdowne, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss program direction and
performance, and provide an update on the role of OPCs in the Modernization Effort.

Comments:
The conference was designed to give OPCs an opportunity to
have face-to-face interaction with their counterparts. Additionally, two
Knowledge Management and Metrics Specialists (KMMS) attended the
conference.

This conference is the annual opportunity for program managers

to pass information to all practitioners and standardize the approach for
Mr. Chris Wehrenberg, Mr. Danny
some common services. Additional discussion addressed using a Prosser, and CAPT Joe Re from
CG-0931
standardized format for administering surveys, creating an OPC measurement system, updating
the Commandant’s Quality Award (which will be renamed the Alexander Hamilton Award for
Performance Excellence), the OPCs role in Change Management and Modernization Initiatives

The Modernization Effort was a major focus of this conference. ADM

Allen made the first presentation. He reiterated the Coast Guard’s record of
not finishing initiatives and how a number of these unfinished efforts these
have been rolled into the Modernization Effort. He reiterated the OPCs roles
as change agents and having the systems perspective that is a major goal of
modernization. He also clarified that his goal is not to reorganize, it is to
become a change-centric organization that will not need major reorganization
because it is constantly adapting to changing conditions.

RADM Breckenridge conducted the second modernization

presentation. She introduced the concept of OPCs as a Product Line
in which Program Managers will develop standards and expectations
as well as owning the resources for the Product Line.

The final modernization presentation was a panel of Strategic

Transformation Team members that included representatives from
FORCECOM, OPCOM, DCMS, and DCO. The teams described RADM Breckenridge and Chris Wehrenberg
details of their organizational structures and addressed progress so discuss OPCs role in modernization efforts
far. Each OPC has been assigned to a team that is available to
assist ME teams as needed. These teams are being led by at least one Master OPC. Specific work
and schedules are the responsibilities of team leaders and ME teams.

Areas identified by the STT members where OPCs could

provide benefit were to spread the word regarding the Modernization
Effort while at the units, by seeing multiple units and understanding
their process, understanding measurement systems, analyzing how
operations are completed in the field, assisting FC7 (Capability and
Standardization) with measurement and standardization, and getting
Coast Guard Modernization
involved in compliance working groups.
Presentation

The conference also included small group work. Teams met to discuss the following items:
• Innovative ideas on how the new AHA program should be structured and
administered
• Innovation Expo booth preparation
• Check in with new OPCs regarding PQS progress

ATTENDEES:
CG-0931: CAPT Jo Re, LCDR Ernie Morton, Mr. Frank Wood, Ms. Chris Wehrenberg, Mr. Danny Prosser,
Mr. Dave King, Mr. Lydell King, Mr. Jeff Wright
LANT MLCA/D5: Dr. George Yacus, Mr. Peter Stinson, LCDR Byron Willeford, CWO Dave Rott
PAC MLCP/D11: CDR Elizabeth Blow, Mr. Phil Miedema
D1: Mr. Sam Kornreich , LCDR Paul Mucha
D7: Ms. Ricki Rodrick, LT Dan Rogers
D8: Mr. Steve Ryba, CPO Aaron Knepper
D9: Ms. Joy Fonseca, LT Scott Krejci
D13: Mr. Neal Thayer, LCDR Christina Deal, Mr. Jim Pennewell
D14: Ms. Pam Dittrick, LCDR Bruce Walker
D17: Mr. Dan Canavan, CPO Eric Engvall, Mr. Bill Jett
LDC: Mr. Charlie Coiro, LT Stephanie Forbes

Respectfully submitted,

LCDR Christina Deal and Neal Thayer