An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Scott AFB uses AFSO21 process to solve disputes

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Eikren
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Air Force is always looking for the most efficient ways of solving problems, which is why the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Team Scott initiated a rapid improvement event aimed at simplifying the AdministrativeDispute Resolution process at Scott Air Force Base.

The team used the eight-step problem solving model, which involves clarifying the problem, coming up with an action plan and then seeing the countermeasure through.

"The ADR is a key neutral party that can bring people to the discussion table and help facilitate resolution of disagreements," said Senior Master Sgt. Leonard Ratajczyk, Air Mobility Command AFSO21 superintendent. "To start, we clarify the problem and see if fixing it meets the needs of the organization."

First Lt. Keith O'Donnell, 375th Comptroller Squadron, said, "We ask, 'does the problem require more analysis and does leadership have enough of the correct data to make an informed decision?' By breaking down problems we can addresses performance gaps in a process."

The goal of the ADR is to make continuous process improvements through a phased action plan that includes short term and long term objectives.

"Once we have examined the problem we can create an action plan by selecting the most practical countermeasure," said O'Donnell. "Through short-term goals we can measure what the immediate outcomes are effects are."

Though the process of creating a plan for resolution for the problem is completed at the event, the AFSO21 problem solving process includes three more steps that take place after the event to report outcomes and adjust the action plan after it is implemented.
O'Donnell said, "The resolution for a problem is not resolved until all eight steps are completed. By standardizing a successful process across the Air Force, we can assist other organizations to improve their processes as well."

By streamlining the ADR process here, the ADR process will improve by more than 30 percent and have significant impacts for personnel seeking conflict resolution.