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News | July 29, 2022

Agency releases new communication, feedback assets

By Malia Markmann Office of Internal Audit & Inspector General

Defense Contract Management Agency released its new communication guide and feedback resources on DCMA DOD365 (login required).

The tools, which can be found under the employee tab on the 365 homepage, provide employees with guidance and best practices for internal communications.

These products were developed by the agency’s Defense Organizational Climate Survey and Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Communications Integrated Performance Team, with assistance from the Public Affairs Office. Survey responses led to the IPT formation and resources development.

Jorge Bennett, Cost and Pricing executive director, champions the IPT. James Norris, Special Programs executive director, and Navy Capt. Nicholas Russo, commander of the International Command, serve as Bennett’s co-champions. The three leaders maintain a goal of open, transparent and consistent information follow up throughout the agency’s global network of acquisition professionals.

“The climate and viewpoint surveys provide agency leadership an invaluable tool to gather employee feedback to help shape policies and processes that make our agency an employer of choice and more effective at executing our critical mission,” said Bennett. “The latest surveys identified a perceived gap in the way the agency communicates up, down, and across all stakeholders. The perceived gap is further exacerbated by the virtual work environment we've experienced for the last couple of years.”

The communications IPT is one of several teams formed to respond to survey results. Each group works on unique strategic goals and initiatives in response to survey feedback.

The communication products promote a standardized approach to better understand why team members communicate, how they communicate, and how to best choose communication methods. The IPT and PAO worked to ensure these tools are easy to use and accessible. Each topic was designed to fit a single page for printing and reference convenience.


Topics include:

  • Methods and Reasons to Communicate
  • What is Communication and the “ANNOUNCE” Method
  • Fundamental Practices of Communication
  • Communication Practices On-site and In a Telework Environment
  • Feedback and Which Method is Most Appropriate

In addition to the communication guide, the IPT developed a feedback resources online asset. IPT members recognized there are many forms and reasons for providing feedback across the agency.

Understanding options is important to ensure the proper method is used to achieve the desired outcome. The feedback resource page highlights methods, purposes, practices and applications. By consolidating resources to a single 365 page, it allows employees to make situationally-driven and informed decisions.
“Communication could simply be described as the sharing of information, but that would oversimplify its importance. Sharing information is only the first step in ensuring understanding and securing unity of effort from any group of people engaged in a common endeavor,” said Bennett. “The communication guide and feedback resource tools are meant to help close our communication gaps.”

Bennett said he is confident the products will assist team members understand the different elements of effective communications, as well as identify different venues and processes employees can use to provide critical feedback. That information helps leadership improve policies and processes to drive professional recruitment and retention in support of the agency’s warfighter support mission.

“The IPT did an outstanding job putting these products together, and we can't wait to see how our team members across the agency will use them to improve our sharing and understanding of information,” said Bennett.

Questions, comments or content update requests should be submitted to the DCMA Public Affairs inbox.