Report, "Review of Headquarters Support Functions in the Water Resources Division Fiscal Year 1997" To: "DC - All District Chiefs", "B - Branch Chiefs and Offices", "A - Division Chief and Staff" From: Steve Blanchard Subject: Report "Review of Headquarters Support Functions in the Water Resources Division, Fiscal Year 1997" In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 441 MEMORANDUM To: Distribution From: Robert M. Hirsch Chief Hydrologist Subject: Report, "Review of Headquarters Support Functions in the Water Resources Division Fiscal Year 1997" In fiscal years (FY) 1995, 1996, and 1997, we asked teams to review Water Resources Division (WRD) headquarters support functions. The final report for FY 1995 was distributed to you in May 1996. The reports of the FY 1996 Headquarters Review Team (HQRT) and the FY 1997 HQRT Review Team are now available on the web at: http://wwwoper.er.usgs.gov/information/hq.review.html The scope of each review was limited to those headquarters and regional functions funded by WOTSC and/or Hydrologic Networks and Analysis (HNA) funds (i.e., division-level support functions). The reports include review team recommendations and responses from units that were reviewed. The recommendations from the team were used to make decisions in the FY 1998 funding allocation process. * Listed below are some of the recommendations from the FY 1997 review that have been implemented. * An external review of the regions was conducted in FY 1997/98 by a group of former District Chiefs. * Computer system administration and support at HQ was consolidated in June 1998. * Progress has been made toward strengthening key relationships with other agencies through the use of co-location appointments of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) employees with other Federal agencies and through WRD participation on external committees. * The discipline offices have incorporated the request to be "more candid" about their findings into the review process. * The Administrative Information Systems support staff have: - created Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ) for questions asked more than twice, - asked users to request help via email to ais_help and not by phone whenever possible, - directed users to the FAQ's as often as possible in answer to a help request, and - reviewed and updated On Frame Help available within AIS. * A Hydrologic Analysis Support Section (HASS) configuration management group consisting of discipline office, major program office, and field representatives was formed to review and set priorities for HASS. * As opportunities have arisen, the Distributed Information System office staff has utilized more field and contract staff. * The Branch of Water Use was relocated to the Office of Ground Water. * The National Training Center (NTC) was relocated to the Office of Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations and has undergone a thorough review of its operations. The fee for classes at the NTC was reduced by $125 to $225 per class. In addition, a committee was formed to make recommendations related to short- and long-term training directions for WRD and the NTC. * The Office of Water Information was reorganized; this included a thorough review of all positions. The FY 1997 HRQT consisted of Peter Anttila, Cynthia Barton, Myron Brooks, Dennis Lynch, Jerry Ryan, and Linda Weiss. I would like to thank the team for their diligent efforts and for a job well done. Distribution: A, B, DC Copy to: USGS Policy Council Operations Council Cc: CH file, MS 409 Staff Asst. (Blanchard), MS 409 ACH/O, MS 441 Ch, BAMS, MS 447 WRD General, MS 403 ` WRD Chron, MS 441 USGS:SFBlanchard:acdilandro:9/1/98:5032. Word:HQRT97 distribution-memo:acdilandro:9/1/98. ------------------------------------------------------- Steve Blanchard, Deputy Asst Chief Hydrologist for Operations Phone: 703-648-5033 email: sfblanch@usgs.gov Fax: 703-648-5295 -------------------------------------------------------