DEAMS CMAC Seeks to Engage Stakeholders

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Change will be a constant during the Defense Enterprise and Accounting Management System (DEAMS) implementation and a topic of interest whenever leadership discusses DEAMS. When the DEAMS Change Management Advisory Council (CMAC) meets in February, it will examine how key stakeholders and end-user communities can support the DEAMS implementation.

Comprising representatives from U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command headquarters and other tenant organizations at Scott AFB that will transition to DEAMS during the initial technology demonstration, the CMAC actively seeks perspective, expertise and support from leaders and stakeholders whose ongoing support for DEAMS is essential to its success. This outreach process, called Leadership Alignment, is an effective way to create a network of advocates who can champion change and discuss the advantages of the DEAMS solution. Each time the CMAC engages in leadership alignment, the potential network grows larger. Effective leadership alignment is critical to the success of any initiative that implies a substantial level of change and change management activity.

John Senn, the DEAMS functional manager and USTRANSCOM representative on the CMAC, says leadership and end-users alike have a strong interest in DEAMS.

“Several commands and organizations have expressed an interest in DEAMS and contributed to the creation of requirements and evaluation of potential solutions.” said Senn. “That insight and experience will be invaluable to the implementation and testing process.”

Education and communication are critical to the success of this initiative.

“People can’t support something like DEAMS unless they understand why it’s a good idea,” says Senn. “Once they understand why DEAMS makes sense, they also understand why we need their support.”

The CMAC typically meets monthly, to coincide with scheduled meetings of the Executive Steering Group (ESG). Chartered by the ESG, the CMAC acts in an advisory capacity to the ESG on issues related to change and change management for DEAMS.

DEAMS is being managed as a joint USTRANSCOM, U.S. Air Force, and Defense Finance and Accounting Service initiative. DEAMS will transform business and financial management processes and systems, improve combat support for the warfighting forces, and improve information accuracy for Defense Department decision makers. This improved financial visibility is important for USTRANSCOM, a combatant command and the DoD Distribution Process Owner.

For more about DEAMS visit http://deams.transcom.mil.