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Challenge Problem Form
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Challenge Problem Champion
1. The senior leader’s name, title and organization – who wants this problem solved, can authorize testing and adoption of potential solution. 2. Point of Contact: The main contact for day-to-day interactions - name, title and contact information.
Beneficiaries
Identify the key beneficiary who currently struggles with the problem. A beneficiary must be an individual (not a group, unit, division, department nor organization). They must be accessible to you for observation and interviews. If unsure, list three likely beneficiaries.
Problem Symptoms
A “problem” is a situation or condition that someone desires to change. What are signs of beneficiary struggles and pain? Look for symptoms objectively. [Individual(s)] struggles with [condition, or situation] as evidenced by [list evidence]
Problem Consequences
What is the ‘cost’ to the beneficiary, organization and stakeholders in terms of time, effort, expense, opportunities, etc.?
Stakeholder(s)
Who has a stake in the problem or solution? Who stands to benefit when the symptoms/problem is resolved? Who stands to benefit when the symptoms/problem remain unresolved?
Constraints
List the key rules, boundary conditions, barriers, obstacles, etc. that a potential solution must navigate.
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Form Results 2
Problem Champion Information
Beneficiaries
Problem Symptoms
Problem Consequences
Stakeholder(s)
Constraints
Created By
1
All intelligence AFSC’s
Not enough “real world” and valuable training for intelligence disciplines
Creating simulation exercises or valuable training at home station could potentially save a unit substantial funds. For example sending one intel troop to Red Flag for training is approx. $4,000.
All intelligence AFSC’s
Classified systems
Kristie Cox
2
unknown at this point
Anyone at the point of use on 3D printers(we use AIS avionics back shop and support section)
Many military units have acquired 3D printers, yet there isn't a centralized platform for sharing open source print files.
Most units have invested in 3D printers but are limited in what they can produce due to a lack of print files. As a result, we have new printers but nothing to produce. We have used funds to get the equipment but it is not being used much A shared source for print files would save costs by increasing efficiency, eliminating the need for file licenses, and boosting overall availability and effectiveness. It would leave room for innovation. it would help with supply chain in many areas. There would be established standards on printers and quality. There is a potential to improve readiness and standardization
Anyone with the capability to use the printers and benefit from it. Point of use users.
Security risks: controlled media and design issues, along with networking challenges, complicate matters.Quality: Standardization and expectations, intellectual property, user rights, patent information, compliance with quality and safety, training on systems and equipment—all of which take time and money.
3
unknown at this time
myself or people like me that use the supply system
DOD supply system that tracts parts or equipment in use with no open contracts for parts needed
reduced mission, broken eqipt. Lost time and money
command level,wing level
old systems with limited access, user training, lack of audit on old data,innovation and lack there of
4
unknown at this time
employers and people involved
the ANG has many employment statuses and it can be hard to navigate hiring, roles
The disparities in benefits, job security, and compensation among active, reserve, and civilian personnel can significantly affect morale. It also impacts training and readiness standards, which are critical for mission success. Additionally, managing the administrative side and ensuring compliance with quality and safety while protecting intellectual property and user rights takes a considerable amount of time and money. Ultimately, streamlining these processes is key to maintaining efficiency and effectiveness across all levels Allocating resources efficiently, ensuring integration and fairness, and providing equal opportunities for all statuses are crucial. The disparities in benefits, job security, and compensation among active, reserve, and civilian personnel can significantly affect morale. These factors also impact training and readiness standards, which are critical for mission success.
commang, wing
old policy and procedures , legistlation , communication, funding, training
5
Lt. Col Adam Mcauley, Commander, 161 Operations Support Squadron. Kyle Clark, Weapons and Tactics Officer, kyle.clark.17@us.af.mil
Pilots and Aircrew.
Aircrew currently struggle with unclassified connection in the airplane while on the ground or in the air. Aircrew struggle to get constantly changing long term weather. Aircrew can struggle with not having a quick wifi connection to communicate back to controlling authorities or other essential personnel. Aircrew struggle with not having a quick reliable wifi type communication piece of equipment to relay important unclassified information in the air or on the ground.
The cost is in mission delays for the Air Force waiting on communications like cell phones or radios. Other costs or consequences can be increased danger risks for aircrew and airplanes from not knowing up to date weather during long flights.
Most aircrew of older generation mobility aircraft that travel great distances in single day. KC-135, C-130 models, C-5s, etc... Overall, the Air Force will benefit from a more consistent connection like wifi across their aircraft. Giving situational awareness and increasing safety of older generation aircraft without spending large amounts of money to completely upgrade each different type of aircraft.
It should be an unclassified wifi (IP) type connection. It should have connection all over the world. It should not require a 1067 form meaning shouldn’t become a permanent part of the aircraft to be useful for all types of aircraft.
6
MSgt Emma Heymann (myself)
TSgt Jason Hudson, TSgt Amber Zozaya, MSgt Michael Whitt
The distribution of TOs is done in PDF format with the primary viewer being Adobe on non-networked iPads. Because of the downward only flow of the Adobe App and Apple Configurator we can only ever mass add TOs to iPads and not mass remove them when they rescind or are no longer applicable. An efficient method of mass removal of PDFs from an iPad would greatly aid in keeping the database of available TOs current and free of errors while ensuring the integrity of all maintenance performed in the Maintenance Group. Additionally, a change like this would enable our office to fully digitize the TCTO program, saving physical resources like ink and paper while greatly increasing the effectiveness of maintenance performed by reducing the vulnerabilities brought to the field by using paper products in an industrial work area. The benefit of an improvement like this would not only be substantially important to the 162nd WG but to all NGB and Air Force units
If requires a significant amount of time in order to update iPads with new TOs. It creates shortfalls for maintainers because they could potentially be using the wrong information to repair an aircraft. Having to print TCTOs and distribute them physically creates a potential of FOD on the flight line, if the sheets of paper fly away, or a potential mistake if dirty hands smear some important information on the printed copy. Use of paper TCTOs creates an opportunity to miss important updates to applicable aircraft.
The entire maintenance group would greatly benefit from this problem being solved. Any iPad users that require PDF manuals, TOs or instructions.
If we are able to find a program that provides the mass deletion that we require, funding to be able to purchase such program AF wide might be a potential obstacle.
emma.heymann@us.af.mil
7
ARCWERX Accelerator Senior Leader: Danny Smith. Other POC’s for this challenge statement: Elizabeth Ebenkamp and Ed Palma, Portfolio Managers.
Elizabeth Ebenkamp and Ed Palma, ARCWERX Portfolio Managers
An effective feedback mechanism is needed to gather input from Wings, Spark Cells, and Project Teams regarding ARCWERX-funded projects.
Acquiring feedback is essential for ARCWERX in two ways. Firstly, it is necessary for our internal metrics to demonstrate the allocation of our innovation funds and to assess the viability of the proposed ideas we choose to support. Secondly, for successful projects, feedback enables us to expand the new technology or concept to other units within our ecosystem. Conversely, in the case of an unsuccessful project, the feedback can be utilized to inform other units considering the same technology. Therefore, feedback plays a critical role in ensuring that ARCWERX's portfolio accurately represents all funded projects and can also lead to cost savings for ARCWERX and the government.
ARCWERX is involved in both the issue and its resolution. Furthermore, ARCWERX stands to gain from any potential solution to this issue, as outlined above. If the symptoms and problem are left unaddressed, ARCWERX will face challenges in accurately tracking its metrics and understanding its impact and value as a National Guard Innovation Center.
The main challenges we are facing involve emails that are not being responded to and phone calls that are going unanswered. ARCWERX has also been dealing with a shortage of personnel, which hinders our ability to proactively reach out to these units and project teams.
8
TSgt Desmond Toscano, Wing Fitness Manager
MSgt Carlos Armijo, MSgt Laryssa Morales, MSgt Emma Heymann
The Air Force currently relies on traditional paper-based forms to document physical testing processes, but the transition to a fully digitized system presents an opportunity to significantly enhance efficiency, accuracy, and data-driven decision-making. The challenge is to evaluate how digitization could streamline the physical testing process and compare it to the limitations of paper-based systems. Paper forms are prone to errors due to manual data entry, misinterpretation of handwriting, and document loss or damage. Physical forms can be lost, damaged, or improperly filed, compromising security and accessibility. Paper-based processes incur costs related to paper, printing, storage, and disposal.
Relying on paper-based processes leads to several significant problems, including human error, data inaccuracies, and inconsistent record-keeping due to manual entry. It slows down workflows, making information processing and communication inefficient, while also increasing the risk of document loss, damage, or misplacement. Paper records are harder to secure and access, posing security risks and limiting real-time collaboration. Additionally, the costs of printing, storage, and maintenance, combined with the environmental impact, create financial and ecological burdens. Paper systems also hinder data analysis and reporting, making it difficult to generate insights or comply with audits.
A digitized system for physical fitness would benefit Air Force wide
Some of the obstacles that could get on the way are not having the infrastructure necessary to run certain devices/programs, not having the funding necessary to purchase equipment, not having a back up system, lack of integrity from users, and overcoming the old ways of thinking that the old processes are better.
Emma Heymann
9
Lt Col Kinder Black POC SMSgt Josh Frizzell, Wing XP, 303-847-8177
Wing Commander, Deputy Wing CC, Group CC’s
There is no way to accurately and effectively map A-Staff responsibilities to manpower document positions
Creates major manning disconnects between Group Commanders and A-staff, no accurate mapping of current Wing structure
Group Commanders, Squadron Commander
Time, Resources, Deployments
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