Organizations
We must exploit advances in automation to create a leaner, more efficient force. We can increase our organizational
productivity by taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded by technology. Virtual tools and collaborative
environments currently in existence offer the promise of efficiency in administrative work and decision support across
multiple organizations. We must commit to new processes and organizational behavior necessary to realize those
efficiencies. These processes can lead to faster decision making without sacrificing quality. The future organization
must enable the Air Force to push decisions and execution to the lowest informed level in the chain of command. The
goal is flatter and more agile organizations that minimize administrative drag and maximize combat power.
One universal truth about successful innovation is that it is inextricably linked to the risk of failure – and cannot
truly exist without it. A key goal of an organization striving to innovate is to lower the cost of failure, and ensure
that each failure results in learning on the journey to eventual success. By driving timelines, cost structures, and
architecture toward smaller, simpler programs, we can distribute risk and provide opportunities for innovation in
capabilities development. Similarly, incentivizing smart risk-taking and rewarding constructive failure in our Airmen
lowers the barrier within organizations for new ideas. This philosophy will surely become a catalyst for innovation,
and ultimately provide better answers to future national security challenges
The creation of an agile Air Force is a long-term and deliberate process that will require sustained discipline and energy.
This is an area in which we cannot merely dabble – we must fully commit ourselves to all aspects of this endeavor. Success
in one area strengthens the others, and the shortcomings of one will propagate throughout the enterprise. The ability to make
these changes also hinges on the Air Force’s ability to build a stronger team – inclusive of all relevant parties.