Information Technology Consolidation: Information Technology (IT) Consolidation is a Department of State program to centralize desktop support services from the IT offices of more than 38 bureaus in order to standardize systems and configurations, improve customer service and security, and minimize cost. Once complete, IT responsibility for approximately 37,000 desktops and associated IT infrastructure will be consolidated to the Department’s Bureau of Information Resource Management. During FY 2010, the Department continued centralizing domestic computer desktop support service, and consolidated 82 percent of its bureaus and 75 percent of its desktops.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): In FY 2010, the Department published the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) External Plan, which detailed its commitment to use ARRA funds to create and save jobs, repair and modernize domestic infrastructure crucial to the safety of American citizens, enhance energy independence and reduce global warming by “greening” its facilities, and expand the availability of consular services offered to American taxpayers.
Greening Diplomacy Initiative: Launched by Secretary Clinton, the Greening Diplomacy Initiative (GDI) challenges the Department to account for and reduce its environmental footprint to be a responsible environmental steward and business model for the global community. Among the Department’s green accomplishments during FY 2010 are the commencement of several domestic building renovations to reduce overall water and energy consumption; initiation of bicycle loan and commuter reimbursement programs to encourage green commuting; development of an interactive, on-line GDI success story map; continuation of green awareness campaigns and events; and creation of electronic fora for the exchange of best green practices among the worldwide diplomatic community. The Department was recognized by the Green Building Initiative for the resource efficiency of four of its domestic buildings. In addition, several of its domestic and overseas buildings are LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Department established an FY 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal of 20 percent at its domestic facilities for emissions caused by power generation, and by 2 percent for emissions caused by waste, energy transmission loss, and commuter and airline travel.
Collaborative Management Initiative: The Department continues implementing its Collaborative Management Initiative (CMI), a quality management system to deliver consistent, cost-effective, and high-quality administrative support services to the Department and other U.S. Government agencies at overseas posts. An essential component of CMI is eServices, a service-request software program for overseas employees to easily obtain support services. The eServices program also improves the quality of support services by capturing and reporting to management performance-related metrics on the volume of services provided, the extent that service performance standards are being met by service providers, and customer satisfaction with services rendered. As a result of feedback from the field and with their continued consultation, eServices will be improved in FY 2011 to deliver even better software performance and capture more meaningful metrics. At the end of FY 2010, 83 percent of the Department’s Embassies and consulates were using eServices and generating customer feedback to improve support services.
Human Resources Shared Services: Implementation of the Department’s Human Resources Shared Services (HRSS) initiative continued during FY 2010 and had been adopted by 100 percent of bureaus by November 2010. By establishing a single, integrated human resources delivery system throughout the Department, HRSS enhances customer service, reduces processing times, decreases overall costs, and makes better use of increasingly scarce resources.
