Guest post by RDML Tom Ostebo, Assistant Commandant for Engineering & Logistics (CG-4)
Recent incidents, including a shipboard fire, clearly reveal why configuration management is one of the four cornerstones to logistics transformation in the modernized Coast Guard. The fire, which occurred several weeks ago, resulted from an unauthorized configuration change to equipment onboard the cutter. Fortunately, no injuries and only minor damage resulted from the mishap. However, the incident should have never occurred and the cost of response and repair never incurred, given that the fire was preventable with proper configuration management.
While configuration management is not a new concept, our crews have inherited cutters lacking in documented central configuration control for years. Our modernization initiative, specifically our transformation to a new logistics business model, is driving us all to reassert discipline in our configuration management program and change control processes. Under the new business model, surveys are planned that will establish cutter configuration baselines. The baseline will be managed by a Product Line Manager and configuration audit teams will routinely assess units for their compliance with the approved configuration baseline. Commands will be recognized for their adherence to the baseline and for demonstrated discipline to configuration management processes.
To assist in achieving universal configuration management control and enforcement, configuration management audit teams will be established and chartered to:
a) Review processes and assets to validate compliance with requirements
b) Verify that assets conform to the released asset documentation
c) Direct commanding officers to correct audit non-conformances based on the results of a case-by-case analysis of cost and risk.
In the meantime, no new configuration changes shall be made to a Coast Guard asset that have not been approved by the cognizant configuration control board and documented in the configuration baseline.
Proper configuration management fosters asset sustainability through standard, repeatable and scalable processes. It enables informed decision-making for operations, effective budgeting and efficient change management. Furthermore, a commitment to configuration management benefits both the operational and support communities through reduced break-in time, training time, and maintenance time. I cannot overstress the importance of maintaining strict configuration management. It is absolutely critical to preserving the Coast Guard's mission readiness and ensuring good stewardship of the public's tax dollars.
