Case Study

Strategy Development

Rockwood leverages human-centered design and data engineering to develop a forward-looking blueprint, create an actionable roadmap aligned with leadership priorities, proactively address roadblocks, and foster public-private partnerships in an increasingly complex environment. Rockwood routinely and rapidly analyzes an organization to identify challenges and make detailed recommendations on improvements to operational effectiveness. Rockwood collaborates with leaders to identify the fewest, most influential stakeholders required to form a leadership coalition. We guide this coalition through our proprietary process to define and drive their collective vision and future culture. We apply our extensive expertise in facilitation and design thinking to align leaders around an agile blueprint, supported by a tailored and actionable roadmap for driving progress toward the client’s desired outcomes. We design a governance structure to enable effective and timely decision-making and apply human-centered design principles to align internal and external stakeholders on the vision and blueprint. We support the launch, management, and measurement of working groups. We help our clients pilot initiatives and achieve real results quickly. We engage the right stakeholders with the right messages in the right way to enable informed solutions and sustained commitment from the workforce.

The Client

The Defense Security Enterprise (DSE) serves as a governance mechanism to standardize and enhance the effectiveness of security functions, policies, and processes.  

Client Challenge

The DSE leadership recognized a need to integrate security efforts (as an Enterprise) and optimize security processes across the DoD to reduce waste. The client required support to develop a cross-government strategy, a governance redesign, and governance support to help drive implementation initiatives to maximize collaboration and progress across the Enterprise.

Rockwood’s Approach

Rockwood executed the following approach: 

• Conducted extensive data collection and analysis through client interviews and policy reviews to identify the current challenges facing the DSE, the rationale for change, the environmental factors impacting the DoD and DSE, and the desired future state. 

• Helped senior executives across the security enterprise to develop the DSE Strategy, which included a draft vision statement, impacts of improving the way the DSE operates, and strategic goals and objectives. 

• Designed, stood up, and supported the governance structure to enable rapid, data-driven decision-making and accountability.

• Communicated DSE progress and successes to stakeholders as the DSE achieved objectives and addressed emerging threats.

Results

As a result of Rockwood’s work, the DSE makes data-driven decisions, identifies and mitigates risks faster, has reduced costs through elimination of duplicative efforts, and continues to make progress toward the DSE’s strategic goals and objectives.