U.S. ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, & ENGINEERING CENTER

(ARDEC)

Michael A. ZeccaARDEC Innovation ChampionMike.zecca@us.army.mil

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ARDEC Innovation Initiative

Vision StatementEstablish ARDEC as the world leader in the

advancement of armaments technology and engineering innovation.

Operational StatementProvide the People, Processes and Facilities

necessary to identify, develop and transition innovative solutions to benefit the Warfighter.

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Background

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Innovation Governing BodyJohn Hedderich Dave Castellano Barbara Machak

Mary Manser Dominick Carra

Innovation ChampionsTony Sebasto Mike Zecca Tony Pezzano

Idea Catalyst

Doug Chesnulovitch

Idea Catalyst

Andrea Stevens

Idea Catalyst

Pam Ferlazzo

Idea CatalystEric Kathe

Idea Catalyst

Thomas Kiel

Innovation Network

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ARDEC’s Innovation Initiatives

Social Media:

• Social Media applications. Since we are a US Government defense agency, we need to be cognizant of what technical or operational information can be disseminated in a public forum. Generally we are not allowed to discuss that type of information in a public forum, but can provide approved generic information in those forums. Obvious this challenges what we can provide to the public to inform them of the great work we are doing and to get potential feedback on some of our ideas.

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ARDEC’s Innovation Initiatives

Social Media Discussion Points:

• If you are utilizing social media in your innovation program, please tell us what works and what doesn’t work within your organizations?

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ARDEC’s Innovation Initiatives

Crowd Sourcing Tools:

• We are piloting a “crowd sourcing” tool that allows employees to enter ideas into a system and have other employees either vote or “buy stock” in an idea and allow the most likely idea to succeed to rise to the top to be selected for funding.

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ARDEC’s Innovation Initiatives

Crowd Sourcing Tools Discussion Points:

• Describe any similar tools that are working or not working within your organizations.

• Some tools can be used for internal use only (like at ARDEC) and others can be used for external use to reach around the globe. How can this help with your Innovation programs?

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ARDEC’s Innovation Initiatives

General Discussion:• ARDEC’s customer is the Warfighter.

• Although they are based in the US, when deployed they sometimes generate new requirements to satisfy their immediate needs.

• Solutions can come from local sources (not the best solution, but can be done quickly) or usually are provided by the DoD components (best solution, but not timely).

• Feedback from your customers is critical! • Describe your approach for reaching out to your

global customers and how you provide them with Innovative solutions.