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Playing well with others: new survey measures collaboration

  • Published
  • By Capt. John Severns
  • AETC Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Airmen and civilians throughout Air Education and Training Command have a new method to improve how the command communicates and collaborates. 

This week, approximately 6,000 randomly selected people across AETC received a short, simple survey from the command's Plans, Programs, Requirements and Assessments directorate. 

"These surveys are a chance to influence the course AETC takes as we move forward with new communication and collaboration tools," said Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, AETC commander. "Filling them out only takes a few minutes, but the information they provide will affect thousands of Airmen and our civilian partners." 

This survey is tied to the AETC Balanced Scorecard efforts and particularly to the Build an Integrated AETC Team objective. The survey is also part of a long-term program to elicit feedback from the command on how well its members communicate and collaborate, and whether they have access to the information they need to do their jobs. 

"I strongly encourage everyone who receives one of these surveys to use it as an opportunity to provide direct, frank feedback to the command," the general said.
The new survey is the second in a series being sent out to a random selection of AETC members. In December 2008, the first survey was sent to an initial group of 6,000 Airmen and civilians. 

More than 900 people responded to that survey. The figures below reflect the percentage of respondents who "completely" or "somewhat" agree with the following statements: 

- I have access to the knowledge needed to do my job (90 percent) 

- Information technology systems support my timely access to knowledge (71 percent) 

- I have timely access to knowledge when and where I need it (74 percent) 

- I collaborate with others outside my work area on a regular basis (77 percent) 

- Others outside my work area collaborate with me on a regular basis (72 percent) 

- AETC personnel collaborate effectively (57 percent) 

"Simply stated, the goal of the survey is to get the most out of what we currently have and identify areas that require improvement," according to Maj. Gen. Erwin F. Lessel III, AETC's director of Plans, Programs, Requirements and Assessments. 

"While the majority of respondents indicated that they had access to the knowledge they needed, and that they often were part of collaboration, there was clearly a disconnect in the perception of how effective that collaboration proved to be," he added. 

Some of the new methods of communication and collaboration the general's team is working on include SharePoint implementation across the command, creation of a social networking environment, updating and standardizing HQ roles, program responsibilities, points of contact, as well as implementation of Defense Connect Online capability throughout the command. 

"The bottom line is that we are taking action to continuously improve our processes and take advantage of available technology that will increase our ability to communicate and collaborate," General Lessel said. 

The survey began appearing in recipients' e-mail boxes this week.