WEST BETHESDA, Md. –
Dr. Tom Marino led another high-velocity learning (HVL) brown bag at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division on April 9, accompanied by Dr. Dave Drazen and Ken Myers, where the three expounded on the specific tools currently in use that achieve HVL.
Penned by Dr. Stephen J. Spear in his book “The Velocity Edge,” this innovative process explores methods for building a system of “dynamic discovery,” realizing and solving problems as they occur, sharing information to convert weaknesses into strengths and developing leaders who are invested in their subordinates’ successes.
“The strength of high-velocity learning comes from the sharing of knowledge across the organization, sharing knowledge about solutions to problems and the processes by which you arrive at those solutions, and sharing successes and failures,” Marino said.
During the session Marino said that high-velocity learning is already being achieved within the command in many areas, including: full-ship shock trials; additive manufacturing; the unmanned vehicles and autonomous systems working group; DDG 1000 46-3 scale model testing; the Disruptive Technologies Lab; Massive Multiplayer Online Wargame Leveraging the Internet (MMOWGLI); and the Anechoic Flow Facility.
For the Navy, HVL stems from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson’s 2016 “Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority,” which specifically says, “Achieve high-velocity learning at every level by applying the best concepts, techniques and technologies to accelerate learning as individuals, teams and organizations.”
Richardson said there is a need to “Strengthen our sea power; strengthen our people; strengthen our team and strengthen our network of partners; but more importantly strengthening our people through culture change.”
Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) characterizes HVL through the 4 S’s – see, swarm (solve), share and sustain – as the key to disciplined learning. Its intention is to expand on thought processes to find other means to a solution by looking at specific problems from many angles.
One of the main focuses of HVL is leveraging knowledge management. The online suite of social network-based communication and collaboration tools with iNFusion, the new Research Commons website and digital twin are currently being implemented by the Navy to preserve knowledge.
Research Commons website underwent a massive facelift according to Myers, Technical Information Center Branch head (Code 1033). He said it now exhibits a new interactive design, providing better access to digital library subscriptions, books and e-books, research guides, materials and other services. It is a digital space for research collaboration and networking.
Myers said that his branch was able to expand on the previous model, enabling users to access even more knowledge necessary for critical research projects.
“This year we have twice the number of the subscriptions and research tools we had previously, giving you the ability to obtain the necessary information from multiple sources, in an easy-to-use environment,” Myers said.
Brazen, on detail as a staff specialist to the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, discussed the thought process of using digital twin to continue advancements within the fleet.
Digital twin refers to a dynamic digital representation of live objects collecting near real-time analysis. This model increases the Navy’s ability to interact with different systems, driving its future competitiveness in innovation and maritime superiority.
“The idea is to take the lessons learned from working with digital models and use that information to improve designs of the future fleet,” Brazen said.
Another opportunity to share lessons learned, strategies and tools to encourage and accelerate HVL will be during the NAVSEA HVL Summit, May 15-16 at Carderock’s West Bethesda, Maryland, headquarters.