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Transformation

Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wall-2-Wall?
 
The purpose of the Wall-2-Wall Initiative is to visibly and measurably transform DAS so that it can effectively and efficiently meet the policy and service needs of its stakeholders and customers. The initiative will enable the department to:
  • Better articulate the value of DAS to customers and stakeholders
  • Improve our performance metrics (costs, cycle time, quality)
  • Improve our customer, user and stakeholder satisfaction survey scores
  • Create documented and verifiable return on investment

Why are we doing this?
 
The Wall-2-Wall Initiative is designed to build capacity; help DAS adjust to current economic realities and changing customer expectations; and transform DAS into an agile service-delivery model that is responsive to changing public needs and increasing global competition for resources (financial and human capital).

Why start this initiative when people are getting laid off?
 
Recent staff reductions are a driving force for starting Wall-2-Wall. DAS must increase its capacity to deliver work with remaining resources.

How can we afford this work at this time?
 
Even during dire financial crises, organizations must invest in their future. Wall-2-Wall is such an investment; it represents less than 1 percent of DAS' total operating budget.

Will employees lose their jobs from this initiative?
 
Wall-2-Wall is an effort not to reduce headcount but to increase output given our resources. It is possible that fewer people will be needed in the future for certain tasks. At the same time, DAS may have difficulty meeting certain obligations. Wall-2-Wall may help us redistribute workload to better meet those demands.

Will I have to learn new skills?
 
To participate in some work groups, you will need new skills; but much of the value of Lean management involves employees suggesting ways to improve current processes, and new skills are not essential for making those contributions.

Why should I believe this initiative will be around in a year?
 
The Wall-2-Wall Initiative is introducing and implementing methods with a solid reputation for improving performance in other government agencies and in the private sector. The initiative has several elements: the Entrepreneurial Management business model, a management system for DAS, and useful tools for improving capacity and delivery capability (in terms of reduced costs, faster cycle time and improved quality), such as Lean and Six Sigma.

Does the Legislature and the Governor's Office support this?
 
Yes. Both offices understand the value of this initiative and the long-term benefit to the state;  however, political and financial realities introduce some degree of uncertainty.

How long will this take?
 
Transforming an organization takes many years. Certain elements of Wall-2-Wall may be rolled out rapidly. Others are continuous-improvement efforts that will take time to learn and will not have a defined end point. 

How will we achieve the intended outcomes of the initiative?
 
There are several keys to successfully achieving the outcomes of the Wall-2-Wall Initiative:
  • Listen to our customers and stakeholders (voice of the customer or VOC)
  • Listen to our employees and engage staff at all levels
  • Become a data-driven organization
  • Establish baselines and measure the results of transformation projects
  • Become strategic in meeting policy and service responsibilities
  • Take an enterprise view of the agency and its processes