Operations Improvement Initiatives aim for small victories Published Jan. 6, 2010 By Senior Airman Stephen Musal 460th Space Wing Public Affairs BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- During his commander's call Dec. 16, Col. Clint Crosier, 460th Space Wing commander, outlined a new program aimed at making small improvements wherever improvements are needed. Operations Improvement Initiatives, according to Colonel Crosier, are a way to document the small changes to programs Team Buckley personnel make in order to better accomplish the mission. "Good people, every day, are looking for ways to improve processes," Colonel Crosier said. "It's time we documented them." The key, he said, is to remember every member of Team Buckley can make a difference in a small way... and those small changes add up to big improvements. According to the program description, "every squadron, flight, team and program manager are challenged with reviewing their programs on a continual basis to identify more effective processes, improved procedures, reduced operational/mission timelines and eliminate gaps and seams that could lead to program failure." To be a valid OII, the initiative must be: - A clearly defined process improvement that closes a vulnerability, increases efficiency or more vigorously ensures mission success - Documented via 460th Space Wing standard OII template - Validated/approved by a squadron commander, operations officer or director of staff (for wing staff agencies) While this program is ramping up to help the base prepare for the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection in early 2010, the benefits of the program will last long past the ORI, Colonel Crosier said. The processes put into place and smoothed during this program will have long-term, positive effects on Team Buckley's mission. As an incentive, the flight or team implementing the most OIIs by the ORI will receive a 3-day pass, a trophy and a pizza party. The squadron implementing the most OIIs will receive a 1-day pass for all members who developed or authored OIIs.