CRANE, Ind. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) team took a previously manually-intensive procedure and produced a more effective and user-friendly process for its employees.
The team, comprised of both contractors and civilian employees, worked throughout the year to create a product that will help streamline processes such as employee data management, training, staffing, and classification.
“NSWC Crane's HRIS team is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the specific HRIS solutions used by our workforce,” said Chris Phillips, Human Resources Information Systems Specialist. “What makes our team unique is our commitment to innovation and leveraging cutting-edge technology like the Microsoft Power Platform to create efficient and user-friendly tools. The results of the work we perform is evidence that we are at the tip-of-the-spear regarding HRIS app development.”
Since the Navy’s move to FLANKSPEED, the HRIS team fully embraced the change by learning Power Platform apps, such as Power Automate and SharePoint Online. The team has created over a dozen applications, including the NSWC Crane Job Board App, Honorary Awards Tool, and the Incentive Pay Reconsideration Tool. The team has saved NSWC Crane both time and money through this update and has assisted other Warfare Centers looking to update their Power Platform apps, including the Incentive Pay Reconsideration app and Paid Parental Leave tool.
Prior to updating the NSWC Crane Job Board App, members of the Staffing and Classification team distributed weekly job announcements through email and track application deadlines and late submissions. Now, the app has streamlined the process helping both the Staffing and Classification team and the applicant.
“The application is accessed through a link available to all NSWC Crane civilian employees,” said Phillips. “There is a section where applicants can view each job and apply within the app by attaching their resume. Applicant's then can view their submissions as well as any previous submissions they provided. This app provides staff with the most benefits as they can post/repost the jobs, manage all postings, view applicants for each job position, all by just a click of a couple of buttons. The app can also automatically generate an email (mirroring the previous one) listing all opportunities and send it to the civilian workforce by the click of one button. Overall, this application has significantly improved the application and announcement generation processes for both civilian employees and HR staff.”
NSWC Crane’s HRIS team supports Naval Sea Systems Command’s efforts to strengthen the Navy team by “ensuring team members are equipped to effectively support the warfighter.”
“In today's rapidly changing world, the DOD must have a workforce that is agile, adaptable, and equipped to tackle complex challenges,” said Phillips. “Modernizing our HR systems through innovative solutions like those developed by our team directly supports this goal. By streamlining processes, improving access to information, and leveraging data, we enhance our overall operational readiness.”
By updating processes, NSWC Crane continues to set the standard when it comes to business excellence.
“We want everyone to understand that NSWC Crane is not just about technical innovation in warfare; we're also leading the way in modernizing how we manage our workforce and business processes. Our HRIS team's success demonstrates our commitment to using technology to improve efficiency and empower our most valuable asset: our people,” said Phillips.
For this effort Jake Strange, Misty Klein, Brandon Schuld, and Chris Phillips were awarded the NAVSEA Human Resources Community Award for Innovation.
“This award is important because it demonstrates how NSWC Crane is leading by example in adopting innovative technologies to improve internal processes,” said Phillips. “It's unique because we are leveraging commercially available tools like the Microsoft Power Platform in ways that are transforming traditional HR functions within the Department of Defense (DOD).”
About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.