GFEBS is one of the largest implementations in SAP history. The first stage in the 10-year process of deploying GFEBS throughout the Army involved a technology demonstration in July 2006 to prove that the new system was capable of meeting the demanding technical requirements. The Army had to complete the technical demonstration—Release 1.1—within 11 months to stay on its tight schedule.
For the initial stage of this massive program, Accenture teamed with the Army to help complete the important technology demonstration. In just 11 months, the teams developed a financial solution for the Army, which involved designing the system, converting data and ultimately demonstrating in Fort Jackson, S.C., that an ERP system could effectively perform financial management and real property inventory inside a single solution for the entire Army. Release 1.1 not only captured real property inventory information and its associated financial data, but also proved that GFEBS could address the business process reengineering requirements needed to transform financial management in the Army.
After the successful technology demonstration, Accenture worked closely with Army Subject Matter Experts to develop the full scope of the GFEBS solution. After two years of requirements development, system configuration, testing and training, the Army was ready to “Go-Live” with the Release 1.2 solution in October 2008. The GFEBS program team deployed and trained end users at eight Army organizations/installations. The event marked the first time that the Army started realizing GFEBS’ benefits—the streamlining of the Army’s financial and real property infrastructure and enhancing the ability of Army leaders to make real-time decisions worldwide.
Leveraging on its proven program management skills, Accenture helped keep the program on track and ensure that communications and training needs were met. For example, Accenture utilized Microsoft SharePoint, a Web-based document repository, to provide effective visibility over all solution development work and across all teams.
Accenture mobilized the appropriate support resources and ensured that training activities prepared participants to contribute to the collective effort. Accenture to-date has conducted over 3,330 instructor-led trainings for more than 34,000 end users, aimed not only at educating the GFEBS users on the new application, but on transforming the business practices performed. In addition, Accenture has delivered computer based training courses (60+), job aids (90+), online procedures (600+), and application tutorials (225+) which supported the classroom training. Users can also access on-demand help facilities to refresh their training while performing work with GFEBS. When the entire system is fully deployed, Accenture will have delivered the GFEBS training curriculum to approximately 58,000 Army end users.
In April 2011, the Army successfully rolled out Wave 5 of the GFEBS deployment bringing the number of users to over 24,000 users at 150+ Army installations. Wave 5 deployment marked another important milestone for GFEBS—the first go-live for overseas Army installations. Accenture supported the international deployment effort by conducting on-site training, facilitating the process of provisioning foreign nationals in the system, and ensuring the solution met requirements for operating in foreign economies. Accenture continues to provide around-the-clock support for users at these locations using a ‘follow-the-sun’ service management desk.
The Army and Accenture program team have maintained a strong focus to delivering on time and on schedule. On June 24, 2011 the GFEBS program achieved a major acquisition milestone as the Department of Defense (DOD) approved the Full Deployment Decision (FDD) and authorized the continued deployment of GFEBS to the remaining installations. This decision reaffirms the department’s and the U.S. Army’s belief in the GFEBS capabilities to meet the stated objectives and deliver value across the U.S. Army. Continuing with the planned deployment schedule, the Army deployed Wave 6 in July 2011, bringing in approximately 10,800 end users representing the Army National Guard (ARNG) and raising the total GFEBS end user base to over 34,000.
In July 2011, the Office of the Army Chief Information Officer/G-6 awarded the GFEBS program with the prestigious Army Knowledge Management Award. This award recognizes the outstanding organizational efforts by Accenture and the Army to improve decision making by establishing a knowledge management culture. Accenture cultivated this culture by developing Communities of Practice for Army change agents, supporting collaborative online communities for knowledge transfer, and applying advanced technological solutions to connect to stakeholders around the world.