Army Contracting Command-Picatinny telework policy: applying lessons learned from the federal government

Abstract

The Army Contracting Command-Picatinny (ACC-PICA) has established a telework policy that complies with the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, but having a successful telework program involves more than just establishing a policy. Telework is a different way of doing business and the program ACC-PICA creates must align with its overall business strategy while still providing a benefit to the organization. Other federal agencies have been implementing and experimenting with telework for many years and several lessons were identified from what was learned through their experiences. The lessons learned from the information gathered on these agencies were organized into six categories: training, management acceptance and support, telework agreement, telework support, performance management and measurement, and pilot programs. Within each it is explained where the lessons fit into ACC-PICA's policy and why implementing them will improve it. The Star Model explains the implementation of these lessons, what part of ACC-PICA will be affected by changes to its policy, and how organizational behavior will also change. By using these lessons learned as recommendations for further development of its policy rather trying to further develop the policy on its own, ACC-PICA will achieve the benefits of telework more efficiently and without disruption to its mission.