Beyond the Status Quo

Accenture, USGIF’s newest strategic partner, strives to go beyond simply advising the federal government, to help improve the way the government functions.

“Our federal clients trust Accenture to help them change the way government works because we work, think, and contract differently,” said Matthew Fahle, senior executive for Intelligence Community Programs.

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Operating in 54 countries and employing more than 246,000 people worldwide, the company, which launched in 2001, generated $25.5 billion in revenue last year.

Accenture Federal Services, in Arlington, Va., provides services to U.S. government agencies that handle national security, including the departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Accenture supports every cabinet-level department and 20 of the largest federal organizations. Accenture also supports the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency as well as other defense and public safety components of the National System for Geospatial Intelligence.

According to John Goodman, managing director of Accenture Federal Services, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense recently awarded the firm a two-year management consulting contract to improve forecasting techniques and show how forecasting accuracy can reduce excess inventory and improve supply chain cost and performance. Additionally, the U.S. Navy Financial Improvement Program once again awarded Accenture a contract to implement standard business practices designed to help the Navy decrease the cost of performing financial operations.

To help its defense and intelligence clients improve the way they work, Fahle said Accenture does three things−provide decision-makers with processes to better manage the enterprise and generate savings, implement solutions that dramatically improve operational performance, and provide the military and civilian workforces with the strategic thinking, skills, and support they need to successfully perform their missions.

“By shattering the status quo, achieving profound efficiencies, and relentlessly delivering results, we help our federal clients achieve what matters most−powering the services that touch Americans, businesses, and the nation every day,” Fahle said.

To stay at the forefront of innovation, Goodman said the company is focusing on major trends in information technology, including cloud, mobility, and social computing.

“For example, we’re working on how organizations can realize greater connectedness to customers, stakeholders, and employees by rethinking how IT integrates social computing into the fabric of the enterprise,” Goodman said.

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Fahle added that Accenture is also keeping a close eye on agile development and the rapid deployment of infrastructure.

“How do you put capabilities in the analysts’ or in the warfighters’ hands in a matter of weeks rather than taking months and years to deploy new capabilities?” he said.

In 2005, Accenture Federal Services joined USGIF to bring its commercial experience to the geospatial intelligence tradecraft. Recently, the company upgraded its membership to Strategic Partner status in order to participate more fully in the Foundation’s outreach programs. Goodman said Accenture looks forward to supporting public discussion groups and lectures, as well as participating in panels designed to share best practices.

“Our interest in becoming a strategic partner is tied directly to our continued interest in supporting the community,” Goodman said. “Our commitment to the geospatial intelligence tradecraft has never been stronger, and we are continuing to focus our business to improve today and tomorrow’s tradecraft, all while improving services to the warfighter, first responder, and analysts at a lower cost.”