Project Advance updates

Six months into the implementation of Project Advance, many aspects have transitioned smoothly, but a number haven’t.

“We are in a listening, learning and adjusting phase of Project Advance implementation,” said Assistant Chief Secretary Lt. Colonel Paul Smith, who has overseen Project Advance.

He added, “Hearing what is going well and what areas need to be strengthened is critical for us to see the mission advancement which is the ultimate goal of Project Advance. Most of the channels which were in place leading up to July 1 continue to be utilized. The Project Advance Steering Committee and the Change Agent Network each continue to meet, and the Project Advance page of Central Connection online is still available (salarmycentral.org).”

An additional strategy to the listening and learning came last fall as Colonel Smith individually interviewed each area commander and area coordinator. Their divisional commanders also were invited to participate in the conversation.

“It was a very simple agenda. We talked about what was going well and then about any challenges they may be experiencing in their roles,” he said.

Each also was asked if he or she was experiencing any areas which were part of the training which
weren’t meeting expectations.

The main takeaways from those conversations were the need to clarify expectations / levels of delegated authority, engage in regular communication, continue to improve processes and increased efficiency.

An Operations and Efficiency Task Force under the leadership of Secretary for Business Administration Lt. Colonel David Harvey was created late in 2022 to study and recommend steps to improve operational and financial efficiencies.