5 Star Team

Process Improvement Initiatives for Matanuska-Susitna Borough
5 Star Team Senior Project Managers have worked on several strategic initiatives to implement systems and improve business processes in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough including:

• Requirements Definition, RFP Preparation and Implementation Project Management for Workforce Management (WFM) Software
• Conducted stakeholder interviews, performed process mapping and defined processes that will be used as the Borough transitions from a paper to a Cloud-based WFM environment.
• Agriculture Forum Facilitation
• Planned, facilitated and documented a forum with over 70 farmers to design a way forward for Borough agriculture land regulations.
• IT Priority Validation
• Working under the CIO, met with Directors and other stakeholders throughout the organization to review, assess, classify, size and prioritize all outstanding IT Projects. This document became the starting point for future years’ IT Project budgeting.
• Business Licensing and Permitting Requirements Definition and RFP Preparation
• Worked with several departments, mapped business processes, defined functional and technical requirements and prepared an RFP for a Cloud-based customer portal to replace currently paper-based licensing and permitting application activities.
• IT Procurement Business Process Improvement
• Facilitated and led a cross-functional group of stakeholders in redefining how the IT acquisition process will occur under new Borough regulations. Employed a blend of techniques, including Six Sigma, to define the new process.
• Capital Projects Business Process Improvement
• led a cross-functional group of stakeholders in redefining how the capital projects are processed through the Borough. Process diagrams, RACI charts and were used to redefine the process and from which to make process improvement recommendations.

Alaska Land Mobile (ALMR) Radio Statewide Training for State of Alaska Division of Enterprise Technology Services

• A 5 Star Team of Trainers and Facilitators is currently working with State and local responders to provide general radio training, ALMR-specific radio operations training and communications planning, training and exercises throughout the State of Alaska. During the four years of this initiative, almost 3,000 radio users have been trained.

Fleetmapping and Communications Planning for Greater Toronto Area Airport

• A 5 Star Team Project Consultant partnered with a Canadian consulting firm to develop and validate a new fleetmap for the new radio system at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The scope involved the development of the fleetmap and conduct of a one-day workshop to validate its utility with airport stakeholders. Follow-on work will involve communications planning and training suing the new fleetmap prior to system cutover.

Radio Communications System Assessment for Panama Canal Authority

• A 5 Star Team Project Manager in conjunction with Washington DC associates worked with radio users and stakeholders on the Panama Canal to assess the functionality of the existing radio system, to analyze radio system risks and to develop mitigating strategies. A final report that identified findings, recommendations and an implementation plan was developed and presented to the Canal Management Team.

Interoperable Communications Sustainment Process Planning for Florida Region V Regional Florida Domestic Security Task Force

• A 5 Star Team of Technical Subject Matter Experts worked with Region V, RFDSTF to identify target interoperable communications sustainment metrics for first responder agencies in the area. From the metrics 5 Star Team interview stakeholders to determine current state and developed a draft Training and Exercise Plan Template for future implementation.

Emergency Communications Planning and Training for Whatcom County, Washington, Ferndale Police Department

• A 5 Star Team of Trainers and Facilitators worked with local leaders to develop a curriculum for emergency communications and planning in Whatcom County, Washington. This curriculum was then taught to over 350 first responders in the county in approximately 20 classes over a two-week period.

Hospital Network Narrowband Readiness Assessment for State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services

• A 5 Star Team of Technical Subject Matter Experts worked with hospitals throughout the State of Washington to assess their readiness for the FCC Narrowband Mandate deadline of January 1, 2013. Licensee data from the FCC was merged with facility state provided by the State to provide an actionable readiness report for each region within the state.

Statewide Interoperable Communications Training for State of Alaska, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

• A 5 Star Team of Trainers and Facilitators worked with local responders to develop a curriculum that covers all aspects of radio training including: Federal interoperability issues and plans, State interoperability issues and plans, radio operations, communications planning and exercises and programming troubleshooting. These courses were delivered at 11 communities and 600 radio users throughout the State of Alaska.

• Region V - Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF) Communications Working Group
• A 5 Star Team of Subject Matter Experts and Planners worked with local emergency communications leaders to develop interoperable communications sustainment targets and metrics for the region. Then, using those metrics, our knowledge of best practices for training and exercises and a list of training and exercises already planned or available in the region, a Planning, Training and Exercise Interoperability Sustainment Plan was developed. 

Communications Exercise Planning and Facilitation for Whatcom County, Washington, Ferndale Police Department

• A 5 Star Team of Subject Matter Experts worked with over 50 Federal, State, local and international agencies to develop the communications exercise plan for this county that borders Canada. Our Comms360 methodology consisting of a combination of workshops and computer-based planning tools was used to develop and refine the communications plan. The Team then assisted with observing and documenting the exercise and contributed to the After Action Report.

Statewide Assessment of Available Responder Equipment and Interoperability for State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS)

• A 5 Star Team of Subject Matter Experts conducted a statewide assessment survey of local community emergency communications systems and contacts, building a searchable electronic database from assessment survey data, updating the Communications Assets Survey & Mapping (CASM) database with applicable tactical interoperable communications equipment types and systems used throughout the state and providing a communications interoperability gap analysis report. The scope of the assessment and gap analysis includes approximately 330 Alaskan communities. The information collected identified all forms of emergency communications equipment used by those Alaskan communities.

Alaska Land Mobile Radio (ALMR) Case Study for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) and Department of Defense (DOD), Alaskan Command (ALCOM) J6

• A 5 Star Team Senior Business Analyst is developed a case study that supports key National Emergency communications Plan (NECP) goals to assist ALMR in further development of its governance capabilities, resolve issues involving cost sharing and expand sharing opportunities among other Federal, State, local and tribal entities. The study documented successes and barriers as models for other sharing initiatives and help to resolve standards-related issues, as well as cross-border interoperability challenges. ALMR has successfully demonstrated many of the goals described in the NECP. Successes were captured and documented providing lessons learned for others as well as vital historical data for the OEC Clearinghouse Initiative.

Strategic Interoperable Communications Training and Exercise Plan (SICTEP) for State of Alaska, Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA) Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HS&EM)

• A 5 Star Team Senior Business Analyst developed the three-year SICTEP that is a cohesive strategic plan for the delivery of interoperable communications training and exercises in Alaska. The plan defines the elements of operable and interoperable communications to be used in Alaskan exercise, recommends communications-specific training for communities and agencies, and provides a specific communications training and exercise roadmap for 70 communities that include a diverse range of metropolitan areas, coastal communities, rural towns and isolated villages with populations ranging from less than 500 to more than 250,000 people.

Alaska Regional Tactical Interoperable Communications (TIC) Plans Updates for U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Alaskan Command (ALCOM) J6

• A 5 Star Team of LMR Subject Matter Experts performed first responder and emergency manager workshops to gather updated information related to interoperable communications, incident command protocols, processes and equipment across five regional areas in Alaska. This information was complied to update the Regional TIC plans in preparation for the Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2010 Exercise.

Washington State 2010 Olympic Security Committee, Communications Interoperability Work Group (CIWG) for
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications (OEC)

• Contract Support for OEC and CIWG to develop a 2010 Olympics Coordination Center Requirements document along with 2010 OCC communications procedures/protocols. Based on an information gathering process developed an Integrated Interoperability Communications Plan (IICP) as directed by Congress and facilitated communications training and exercises related to the IICP. Ensure that both operationally and technically, Federal, State and local public safety agencies within Washington State Homeland Security Regions 1, 2, 5 and 6 were familiar with all aspects of emergency communications during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program Consulting Support for
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration

• Consulting Support for NTIA’s $1 billion grant program which included assisting NTIA fulfill its grant program goals and responsibilities as assigned in Section 3006 of the Deficit Reduction Act and the Call Home Act of 2006. Support activities included: review and consult on grant guidance, policies and procedures, coordinate national outreach workshops for state and local agencies, develop workshop content and materials, develop and monitor grant reporting and grantee activities, provide technical assistance to grantees as needed, collect feedback from State Administrative Agencies to assist in developing the level of need for technical assistance, assist in grant program award and closeout processes and activities.

Workshop Development and Presenters for U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services Interoperable Communications Technical Program Workshops (ICTP) and SEARCH Group

• Workshop Speakers for four interoperable communications conferences held nationwide for 2005 grantees of interoperable communications project funding. Workshop topics included governance and procurement challenges that grantees face when trying to scope, implement and manage multi-jurisdictional project plans and teams.

2005 Interoperable COPS Grant Review Team for U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services Interoperable Communications Grant Review Team

• Participated on a Grant Review Team for the 2005 COPS Grant awards. Reviewed grant applications for program management comprehensiveness and technical merit.

ICTAP Site Manager for Alaska and Washington State for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Grants & Training, Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP)

• Acted as ICTAP Site Manager for both Anchorage, Alaska and the State of Washington. Coordinated the development of Anchorage, Alaska’s Tactical Interoperable Communications Plan, satisfying a requirement stated by 2006 DHS Grant Guidance to allow Anchorage continued federal funding for interoperable projects. Assisted the State of Washington in sorting out multiple governance options for organizing their upcoming statewide interoperability project.

Interoperable Strategic Planning for Land Mobile Radio Project for U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services Interoperable Communications Technical Program (ICTP) and SEARCH Group

• A 5 Star Team Senior Business Analyst and Technical Advisor held workshops and developed a Strategic Plan and presentation materials for Anchorage, Alaska, a 2005 $3.2 million COPS grant recipient.

ALMR Roadmap to Beneficial Use: Critical Plan Development for U.S. Department of Defense
Alaskan Command J6 and ALMR Project Team

• A 5 Star Team of LMR Subject Matter Experts from various parts of the country developed the ALMR Roadmap to Beneficial Use: Critical Plans documents. These multi-jurisdictional documents pertained to transition, operations and maintenance of the statewide local, state and federally owned ALMR system. Critical LMR plans included: Grant Templates for Local/State Government, Program Management, Risk and Quality Management, Roles and Responsibilities, Cutover, Cost Share System Approach, Operations and Maintenance, Technology Assessment, Dispatch and Training, Security, Test and Evaluation and several related standard operating procedures.

Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2005, 2007, and 2009 Communications Readiness Assessment
U.S. Department of Defense, Alaskan Command J6 and ALMR Project Team

• A 5 Star Team of LMR Subject Matter Experts performed a Communications Readiness Assessment for the Alaska Shield/Northern Edge Exercises in 2005, 2007, and 2009. Activities included a communications readiness assessment, gap analysis, development of a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and development of tactical interoperable communications plans for each exercise scenario. Outreach, education and training were also provided for all exercise participants and dignitaries. On scene exercise monitoring, communications effectiveness evaluations, presentation development and after action reports were also provided.

• A 5 Star Team of LMR Subject Matter Experts performed first responder and emergency manager workshops and training for local, state and federal government agencies to gather information related to interoperable communications incident command protocols, processes and equipment across five regional areas in Alaska. This information was into a scenario-driven Concept of Operations and regional TIC plans. The new Incident Command System interoperable communications protocols developed during this project will be validated during the statewide Northern Edge 2007 Exercise.

ALMR Communications Transportable Units, Operational Test and Evaluation for U.S. Department of Defense, Alaskan Command J6

• A 5 Star Team of Technical Operations Managers conducted an Operations Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of the ALMR Transportable Communications Units. Testing criteria was developed by the team and was used to measure and rate all aspects of deployment performance. An after action report, along with a follow on action plan, was developed and provided to the client.

Spectrum Management Consulting Services for Lockheed Martin Corporation, Integrated Systems & Solutions, IWN Design Phase - Proposal Team

• A 5 Star Team Senior Spectrum Consultant provided review and comments on the proposed IWN pilot project spectrum plan to the Lockheed IWN proposal team.

ALMR Project/Program Management Support for U.S. Department of Defense, Alaskan Command J6, Joint Program Management Office for ALMR

• The 5 Star Team/Bering Straits Information Technology partnership provided Project/Program Management support for the Joint ALMR Project Office. Project management responsibilities included the development of Strategic Plans and Service Level Agreements, grant assistance for local and state government, development of Memoranda of Understanding, configuration management, project documentation, preparation of a project closeout strategy (as the governance model moves to operational support), and oversight and management of all day to day project activities.

ALMR Operations and Maintenance Support for U.S. Department of Defense Alaskan Command J6 and the ALMR User’s Council (Federal, State and Local council)

• An Operational Support team consisting of an Operations Manager and an Operations Technical Advisor provides oversight and management of the ALMR maintenance and operations activities. Responsibilities include the development of strategic documents, customer service level documents, meeting with all stakeholders to develop consensus for operating metrics, business process mapping for operational systems, providing grant assistance for procuring equipment compatible with ALMR, and outreach and education for legislators and executive management for state, local and federal agencies participating on the system.