A FRAMEWORK TO ORGANIZE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING TEAMS IN A HYBRID WORK ENVIRONMENT
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Authors
Walsh, David M.
Subjects
hybrid work environment
Integrated Product Team (IPT)
Kanban
organizational structure
program/project management
systems engineering
telework
Integrated Product Team (IPT)
Kanban
organizational structure
program/project management
systems engineering
telework
Advisors
Owen, Walter E.
Gibbons, Deborah E.
Date of Issue
2024-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Department of Defense’s ensuing 2023 transition to a hybrid work environment changed workplace culture and amplified the need to adapt the traditional document-centric practices of the systems engineering and project management disciplines. This study contributes to the ongoing post-pandemic research concerning productivity while teleworking, as well as the limited research about integrating both disciplines. It assessed the operating model of an organic Lead Systems Integrator, which informed an adaptive organizational structure and technological change proposal. An initial case study of a teleworking project team, subsequent focus groups, and an online survey collected inputs from 90 percent of this study’s population (n = 92). A mixed method analysis indicated that 73 percent of government and industry teammates prefer teleworking (mean = 3.8 days/week); more than 80 percent reported feeling part of a team and empowered to make decisions in this setting; productivity nearly doubled during the maximum telework period; model-based systems engineering tools and the Kanban methodology yielded a 50 percent gain in workflow efficiencies; and 70 percent of participants agreed that stove-piped communication—not telework—remains the greatest barrier to productivity. Recommendations to optimize resources and a scalable 21st century operating framework are suggested for practical implementation.
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.