Innovation engine powers a federal agency

A large U.S. federal agency ensures the safety of American government workers overseas and provides services to expedite business operations. To support these efforts, its employees use an integrated logistics management system, the backbone of the agency’s global supply chain. Every year, $10 billion worth of purchases are ordered, procured, delivered and tracked through the system. The program pioneered innovation at the agency, paving the way for cloud computing and automation. After years of success with the program, the agency set out to reimagine what the next generation supply chain system might look like. It envisioned one where system advances would rival commercial industry counterparts and support the evolving needs of stakeholders. Considering the pace of change during the last ten years, the agency knew it needed to innovate even faster over the next ten.

The Innovation Hub fostered a safe space for clients to test bold ideas and make them come to life by working alongside the agency in an R&D lab powered by the Digital Studio, with minimal financial investment. The cultural change sparked by the Innovation Hub is a renewed emphasis on agility, innovation, and co-creation from inside the organization. A joint team of agency employees and Accenture experts work together, using human-centered design to solve for customer needs from start to finish. The Innovation Hub has allowed the agency to focus on its mission as it transforms. Plus, the Hub creates a constant flow of ideas by drawing from Accenture’s vast resources and innovation ecosystem of thought leaders, industry experts, designers and partners. The Hub has even inspired other federal agencies, spreading a culture of innovation throughout government.