Subject: Introducing Project Management Solutions Team
From: JKnott-EVP <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:19:42 +0000

Greetings.

No matter where in the world we work in Abt we can agree that we are most effective when our systems and processes make project implementation and execution easier while also ensuring financial health and regulatory compliance.  It’s a key objective of our Strategic Plan, to improve our operating platform.

Rich Small, our EVP/CFO, and I would like to jointly make everyone aware of a small, but potent group of senior Abt business leaders who will bring an essential business perspective to making our jobs easier while ensuring compliance.  Please see the announcement of the Project Management Solutions Team below.

One of Abt Associates’ seven strategic objectives for FY14 is to strengthen our operating platform to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness.  In support of that strategy, and to help leverage the company’s project management and operational competencies into a competitive advantage, we are pleased to announce the formation of the Project Management Solutions Team, comprised of senior operations managers from each of the company’s Divisions.  The Team provides—from the business perspective—a holistic and systems view of company policies, processes, and initiatives, and will work closely with the Departments to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations.  The goal?  Make it easier to do our project work, execute with excellence, and satisfy our clients.

The Team is comprised of the following members:

Carol Adoum (IEG)

Frank Divita (ERD)

Margarita Fernandez (IHD)

Anne Hudzik (USH)

Mark McEuen (IHD)

Sandy Nolden (SEP)

The Project Management Solutions Team will partner with the Departments to:

Optimize, connect, and leverage company policies, processes, and initiatives.

Identify and implement innovations and solutions through a systematic process of feedback and continuous improvement to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and ease of project management, while ensuring compliance.

Foster a culture of problem-solving and operational efficiency and promote the development of skills and tools in project management throughout the organization.

Develop a strategy for branding and marketing Abt Associates’ project management competencies.  Our competitors are increasingly doing this, and we need to keep up.

So what are some examples of things the Team will be doing?  One specific innovation the Team is developing is the Project Management Hub — a central space on AGI where project teams will be able to find the key things they need in one place.   Look for it in the next month.  Also, there is a tremendous amount of change going on at Abt Associates right now, and the Team is looking at all of these improvements and initiatives and—with its holistic and systems view—working to make sure it all fits together in the most effective and efficient way.  And in the coming months, the Team will be working closely with the Departments to identify specific process improvement opportunities, where key people from Divisions and Departments will come together to collaboratively map the process to develop a mutual understanding of the current process at ground level and find ways to improve it from everyone’s perspective and make it more efficient.

Abt Associates staff are encouraged to reach out to the Project Management Solutions Team to provide feedback on, and suggestions for, company operations that affect project management.  The Team looks forward to hearing your ideas for ensuring that our policies, processes, and systems optimally support both the project work that is at the heart of our mission, and our competitive position in this increasingly challenging market.

Best regards,

Jay L. Knott | Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer | Abt Associates

O: 301-347-5896| F: 301-828-9739 | www.abtassociates.com

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