Our Organization
Our work is carried out by several operating units, each
headed by our CEO. The operating units are key to our
overall success. Their responsibilities encompass all
aspects of our day-to-day research and analysis
activities, from helping clients identify management
improvements to delivering products or ideas that lead to
desired breakthroughs. In satisfying those
responsibilities, our operating units make extensive use
of advanced technologies, proven management concepts, best
practices, and sound analytical techniques.
We pursue quality relentlessly in the types of work we
undertake, in the advice and products we provide, in the
skills and experience we require of our staff, and in the
internal business practices we follow. Our project teams
are committed to providing high-quality advice and
products through their understanding of continuous process
improvement, their use of early and thorough project
plans, their detailed knowledge of functional areas, and
their emphasis on clear and frequent communication and
interaction with clients.
In addition to the project team's commitment to quality,
we use peer review teams to ensure that we deliver
high-quality advice and products on projects that require
special attention. We also encourage staff members to
continually upgrade their technical, management, and
personal skills through attendance at various conferences,
workshops, and seminars.
Building on our founder's in-service experience helps us
focus on public-sector management, we are adamant that
objectivity be the foundation of every project. We demand
that our project teams deliver unbiased advice, free of
commercial and political conflicts of interest.
Our Staff
We offer our clients a full range of functional and
technical expertise to resolve their most challenging
management issues. Our staff is proficient in fields such
as acquisition, logistics, engineering, health care
management, inventory management, transportation,
distribution, financial management, economic analysis,
privatization and outsourcing, information systems,
energy, environment, installations and facilities,
mathematical modeling, operations research, resource
analysis, statistics, human resources, facilitation,
surveys, and grants management.
Our staff is also characterized by their education (almost
85 percent have advanced degrees) and their knowledge, many
have more than 20 years of practical experience in
government, private industry, the military, and academia.
Our Areas of Functional Expertise --
Capabilities and Deliverables:
We provide analytical research support to government
organizations in three operational function areas.
We offer eight functionally oriented business groups in
these operating units.
Energy and Environment
Our Energy and Environment group has expertise in three
broad areas-environmental programs, energy conservation,
and preventive medicine. In concert with a strong national
interest in protecting the environment, human health, and
pollution control, we help government organizations
improve their compliance with laws, regulations, and
societal concerns.
We specialize in the following areas:
- Environmental program planning and regulatory compliance
- Environmental management systems
- Greening government cost estimating
- Risk assessment studies
- Resource conservation.
Water and the Environment
We also help government organizations meet their water
conservation responsibilities by
advising on complying with regulatory requirements and
conserving valuable energy resources
without jeopardizing their primary missions; preparing
energy management plans for reducing utilities & energy
costs, including the use of new energy conservation and
global water solution strategies and automated systems for
tracking energy and water consumption; and conducting
water audits to promote energy conservation. In the area
of preventive medicine, we are proficient in creating and
implementing water-borne health hazards assessment
programs, and in developing tools that enable mangers to
integrate health risk management into their funding and
decision-making processes.
Our areas of expertise include the following:
- International Water Resources Management
- Occupational safety and health
- Health hazard identification/control
- Industrial hygiene
- Environmental health risk assessment
- Cost/benefit modeling
- Military preventive medicine.
INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
Systems and Engineering Management
Our Systems and Engineering Management group focuses on
the efficient and innovative ownership and management of
computing and other capital infrastructure. Most of its
projects are concentrated in the areas of systems and
business management, financial analysis and
capitalization, economic analysis, and information
technology.
Listed below are just a few of the services that it
offers:
- Management of facility assets
- Cost containment analyses
- Capital investment decisions
- Staffing and manpower models for construction programs
- Analysis of construction management costs
- Construction acquisition process improvements
- Computer-aided facility management practices
- Reengineering maintenance management programs
- Resource allocation models
- Risk analyses
- Economic impacts of development project closures or
relocations
- Performance measurement and benchmarking of facilities
management and construction activities
- Outsourcing and privatization reviews of facilities
support operations.
Health Systems Management
Our Health Systems Management group concentrates on
research & development of vaccine for Biological Threat,
for the general public, first responders and the military.
VHO provides supporting government organizations that
provide healthcare services or administer healthcare
programs. It offers a practical combination of healthcare
management experience from both the public and private
sectors.
Its areas of expertise include the following:
Advising healthcare agencies on organizing and evaluating
their programs, and helping them develop effective
policies and procedures.
Performing economic analyses to guide decisions on
investing in new medical technologies and implementing
innovative management concepts. Analyzing health delivery
systems and using simulation models to optimize planning
response for them. Preparing plans and approaches for
measuring the effectiveness of health-related programs,
including those that deal with military medical readiness.
Developing innovative acquisition programs for commercial
prime vendor contracts covering pharmaceutical and medical
surgical supplies, and medical equipment.
Designing logistics support and contingency plans for
federal, state, and local medical first responders to acts
of terrorism.
Human Capital Management
Our Human Capital Management group provides a full range
of human resource and workforce planning services to
government organizations.
Those services include:
Developing and helping implement initiatives to improve
human assets resources programs and organizations.
Conducting cost/benefit and economic analyses for system
enhancements, determining information and communications
system requirements, and developing prototype systems.
Analyzing current and future workforce requirements,
comparing workforce requirements with current and future
resources, and developing strategies for satisfying those
requirements.
Developing workforce qualification standards; defining
workforce requirements and behavior patterns in terms of
numbers, skills, experience, and retention levels;
conducting organizational staffing and design analyses;
and preparing workforce transition management and program
management plans.
Assessing and redesigning personnel management programs
and policies, implementing
comprehensive career management programs, developing and
applying complex models to project the results of proposed
personnel policy changes, assessing compensation and
incentive programs, assessing family and qualify-of-life
programs, and developing transition plans to facilitate
the implementation of new policies and personnel
management legislation.
Reviewing and validating the educational requirements for
certification in selected career fields,
employing innovative methodologies to determine and
validate education requirements for large
classes of positions, and developing training and
education standards and professional development training
programs.
Organizational Improvement
Our Organizational Improvement group helps government
organizations improve their strategic direction,
performance management, organization, business processes,
workload distribution methods, and resource allocation
procedures.
Some of the services we offer are summarized below:
Assisting in the development of an organization's vision,
guiding principles, focus areas, and goals and objectives.
Analyzing organizational structures, activities, and
interfaces for purposes of identifying opportunities for
consolidating and realigning functions, balancing work to
resources, targeting non-core activities for outsourcing
consideration, and determining impediments to efficient
communication and accomplishment of core functions.
Developing workflow models of existing and proposed
processes to assist in reengineering business processes.
Employing benchmarks, survey techniques, and balanced
scorecard methods in the development of performance
measures critical to improving efficiency and
effectiveness.
Assisting in the development of continuity of government
operations plans and emergency response plans.
LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
Our Logistics Management operating unit provides clients
with innovative logistics and supply chain solutions that
embody efficient processes, industry best practices, and
well-placed technology investments. It employs a unique
combination of experienced staff members, effective
analytical and implementation tools, and new technologies
to increase service levels, reduce costs, and improve
performance. VHO logistics group uses size and quantity
configuration table kits in according with The Strategic
Deployability School Standards incorporating, operational
factors, re-supply assumptions, and availability goals.
The operating unit offers clients a full range of
logistics analysis and consulting services on such topics
as supply chain management, transportation and
distribution management, inventory management, maintenance
management, force projection, readiness, multinational
logistics, and logistics transformation. In providing
those and other services, it makes extensive use of
sophisticated mathematical and simulation models, emerging
technologies, proven management concepts, and in-depth
understanding of the latest logistics practices.
Supply chain management
A supply chain—an integrated approach for managing
logistics processes and information—includes all elements
of planning, sourcing, making, maintaining, monitoring,
and delivering a product to a customer, as well as,
reverse logistics flows to support remanufacture processes
and activities.
We are proficient in each of those areas and have
developed unique tools and methodologies to facilitate the
collection, analysis, and evaluation of supply chain
management functional areas and activities.
Planning
We prepare strategic plans; establish performance
measures; evaluate supply chain performance; develop
business case analyses; assess the use of supply chain
information; and provide advice on supply chain resources,
distribution requirements, production capacities, and
channel interfaces.
Sourcing
We develop sourcing policies (including outsourcing
options and use of third-party logistics providers);
evaluate relations with suppliers, repair sources, and
carriers; and provide advice on prime vendor programs,
vendor-managed inventories, Internet ordering and on-line
catalogs.
Making and Maintaining
We evaluate repair and production processes and schedules;
determine the best level for repair actions and evaluate
maintenance capabilities for depot, intermediate, and unit
locations; and advise on the electronic document
management of technical manuals, drawings, and related
information.
Monitoring
We advise on providing visibility of assets in the supply
chain to reduce costs, respond to customers quicker and
more efficiently, and use scarce assets more effectively;
and we assist in using automated identification technology
(including bar codes, optical memory cards, radio
frequency tags, and satellite-tracking systems) to capture
asset information, reduce processing times, and improve
data accuracy.
OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS
Our Operational Logistics group focuses on the concepts of
logistical support, processes, organizations, programs,
and technologies that are vital to the worldwide
projection and sustainment of military forces and
materiel. Consistent with that focus, we offer a full
range of services in support of defense operations
involving U.S., NATO, and coalition forces.
Those services include the following:
Logistics Transformation
We have an extensive background in evaluating the
management of logistics programs to include developing
alternative and preferred program elements, identifying
required resources, and assisting in program execution.
Advanced Logistics Technology
We are proficient in assessing the technical aspects of
emerging technologies, examining how those technologies
could be employed in logistical processes, and assessing
their impact on effectiveness and cost.
Logistics Modeling
We are experienced in developing and using models and
automated tools for assessing and portraying the impact of
varying logistical operations concepts and processes; for
assisting in the development of strategic mobility
policies, plans, and programs for efficiently and
effectively deploying military forces and materiel; and
for estimating casualties for the full spectrum of
military operations.
Force Projection and Sustainment
We are skilled at evaluating new force structures and
logistics concepts, assessing the logistics and mobility
impacts of new technologies and concepts on deployment and
sustainment operations, and formulating guidance for the
development and implementation of military pre-positioning
programs for both ashore and afloat operations.
NATO Logistics
We have experience conducting logistics exchanges and
assessments for numerous member countries of the Partners
for Peace (PfP) program.
Interoperability
We have a proven record of assessing complex military
interoperability issues, evaluating alternative solutions
to those issues, and then helping implement the best
solution.
Multinational Logistics
We are experienced in developing, coordinating, and
harmonizing multinational logistics policy, doctrine,
foreign freight forwarding and programs.
Logistics Analysis
Our Logistics Analysis group offers a broad array of
logistics analysis services that focus on helping senior
managers make better decisions.
Those services include:
Logistics Process Analyses
We evaluate logistics processes, information systems, and
policies to ensure that resources are efficiently applied
to support mission performance; we also emphasize the
integration of these three features to ensure a
comprehensive management approach.
Enterprise Logistics Analyses
We focus on the analysis and efficient utilization of
enterprise logistics and cost data to support enterprise
goals and objectives.
Logistics Analysis of Technology Deployments
We perform business case analyses and independent
verifications of new technologies to ensure efficient and
practical deployments; we perform these analyses at both
the process and enterprise levels.
Logistics Data Requirements
We help develop logistics data requirements that support
process improvements and enterprise decisions.
Logistics Technology
Our Logistics Technology group conducts analytical studies
that involve the use of advanced technology to improve
logistics performance.
Our areas of specialization include the following:
Technology Assessments and Prototype Demonstrations
We are skilled in assessing the use of emerging logistics
technologies in government applications and in
demonstrating the potential contributions of those
technologies through the use of prototypes.
Business Gap Analyses
We are experienced in helping government organizations
analyze their logistics operations, including defining
their customers, formulating strategic plans, and
identifying and monitoring performance metrics.
Planning and Implementation Support
We are specialists in helping government organizations
develop operating concepts and technical architectures for
their logistics systems.
E-Logistics
We have an background in automating logistics processes,
including the development of electronic information
formats and implementation conventions. We also are
experienced in applying advanced technology to military
logistics, capitalizing upon the best transportation and
distribution practices in the private sector, and
improving integrated transportation management. The
results often include dramatically improved speed,
reliability, and efficiency in moving personnel and
materiel as well as better and more timely information on
the location and status of those movements.
Mathematical Modeling
VHO uses mathematical, statistical, engineering, and
operations research techniques, along with information
technology, to solve complex logistics problems:
Models
We use innovative modeling to evaluate logistics
alternatives and track how improvements in logistics
Processes can reduce the costs of obtaining higher system
availability. Our Aircraft Modeling determines the spares
for deployment box configuration kits and their
quantities. We size these configuration kits according to
Strategic Deployability School Standards incorporating,
operational factors, resupply assumptions, and
availability goals.
Relationships
We use mathematical modeling to develop relationships
between the inputs or resources a function uses and the
function's outputs or levels of activity (such as sorties,
steaming hours, miles driven, repair schedules, or
replacement rates). We use those relationships to estimate
budget requirements and improve their productivity.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Our Resource Management operating unit helps clients make
informed, sound decisions about allocating resources,
evaluating competing advanced technologies, and investing
in information technology. In providing that assistance,
it uses decision support tools, customer satisfaction
surveys, life-cycle cost analyses, models and simulations,
system prototypes, web applications, and business process
improvement techniques. This operating unit is proficient
in improving processes for acquiring products and
services. That proficiency covers the entire acquisition
cycle, beginning with acquisition and contract policy and
ending with support for systems nearing the end of their
useful life. It also is adept at evaluating the risks of
new software systems and proposing actions for mitigating
unacceptable risks; conducting independent reviews of new
financial systems, with a focus on design, management, and
implementation; developing technology-based solutions to
management problems; designing and
developing complex software systems; and giving strategic
advice about enterprise-level systems.
This operating unit consists of seven functionally
oriented business groups:
Acquisition and Privatization Management
Our Acquisition and Privatization Management group
combines the talents of specialists in acquisition,
program management, finance, logistics, surveys, and
performance management to develop innovative yet practical
solutions to a wide range of business issues.
Its areas of expertise include the following:
Improving the performance and effectiveness of government
acquisitions and grants with special emphasis on
competitive sourcing (A-76), commercial products and
practices, performance-based contracting, source-selection
strategies that reduce program cycle time, life-cycle
ownership costs, and socioeconomic programs.
VHO has used the implementation of results-oriented
performance measurements and meeting of the requirements
under the Government Performance and Results Act using
performance budgets, cost-workload measurement, and
customer satisfaction surveys.
Applying benchmarking and commercial best practices to
reform the way government acquires goods and services,
deals with suppliers, and trains its acquisition
workforce. Equipping frontline acquisition and grants
professionals with the information and skills they need to
speed execution, achieve better long-term results, and
make better decisions.
Advanced Software Development
Our Advanced Software Development group develops and
implements fully integrated software solutions for
clients. In providing those solutions, we use
best-in-class commercial software applications and
processes, wherever possible, to provide a core set of
"ready-built" functionality. We assist our clients by
staying current with technology advances and fully
understanding solid and reliable commercial product
offerings that leverage these advanced technologies,
processes and methods. Our in-depth research and
evaluation of each client's particular challenges enable
VHO to fully understand the strengths, risks, features,
shortcomings and overall investment return.
Our specific areas of expertise include the following:
Tool and Application Development
We build tools and applications tailored to meet clients'
needs, including the design and development of tools for
supporting complex process planning, predictive modeling,
and decision support analyses. Some of the functional
areas in which we've used these tools and techniques
include health systems and support structures, aviation
analysis systems, crisis response systems, and customer
relationship management systems.
Electronic Business Strategies
Our Electronic Business Strategies group helps clients
identify improvement opportunities, restructure operating
practices, and exploit enabling technologies for
e-business/government. As a result of more than 15 years
of direct experience, we understand business and
technology trends, value propositions, and
success-oriented models. We are experienced across the
range of e-business/government technologies, innovational
and knowledgeable of private-sector best practices, and
well qualified to assist in any business area streamlining
initiative.
We also combine a unique set of functional, analytical and
technical skills to assist clients in:
*Identifying and prioritizing their business
opportunities,
*Developing sound mission-focused strategies and plans,
*Enhancing their focus on customer requirements,
*Improving the quality and management of their decision
making processes, and
*Managing change.
Information Management
Our Information Management group focuses on addressing
strategic issues related to enterprise-level information
management programs and systems.
In this role, we support clients in the following major
areas:
Enterprise Planning
Preparing strategic plans and providing business case
analyses, requirements analyses, architectural analyses,
and investment analyses for information management and
technology-based programs.
Enterprise Sourcing
Developing acquisition and evaluation strategies and
plans, assessing alternative solutions (including
outsourcing), preparing business case justifications, and
conducting evaluation tests.
Enterprise Program Management
Evaluating and managing software-intensive program risk,
conducting independent verification and validation
analyses, providing development life-cycle oversight
support, and planning for continuity of operations.
Enterprise Transition Management
Managing the change associated with transitioning to new
operating environments and technology, including business
process reengineering, communications planning, and risk
planning.
Our services in these areas include assisting in the
development, implementation, and documentation of budget
formulations and execution procedures; conducting
requirements analyses; developing improved integration of
planning and budgeting processes; developing linkages
between performance measures and budgeted resources; and
performing process analysis to reengineer and realign
financial management business processes so they interface
with financial management information systems.
Program and System Life-Cycle Support
Our Program and System Life-Cycle Support group has
extensive experience helping clients improve their program
management and integration activities throughout all
phases of the program life cycle, from concept development
through operations and maintenance.
We specialize in three major areas:
Planning and Assessment
We conduct market surveys, system assessments, and
economical analyses of available technologies; prepare
system life-cycle documentation (including acquisition,
requirements, test, and deployment plans); and pilot
systems.
Procurement Support
We provide comprehensive procurement support to clients,
including the development of source selection plans and
automated source selection tools; requests for proposals;
and technical, management, cost and past performance
evaluation plans. We also have served as members of
government source selection teams that evaluated
competitive proposals.
Implementation
We determine the resources required to support system
installation and management, provide independent
assessments of various implementation tasks and test
plans, conduct business process engineering reviews, and
evaluate new and emerging technologies.
Systems Development and Technology Support
Our Systems Development and Technology Support group
focuses on helping clients implement technology solutions.
We also have experience in designing and developing
complex software systems. In providing these services, we
use structured methodologies for managing all phases of
the software development life cycle. Those methodologies
are particularly effective at keeping projects on track
while mitigating risks.
Our core capabilities include functional requirements
analysis, systems analysis, structured design, systems
prototyping, rapid application development, independent
technical assessments and evaluations, systems
integration, systems support, and hosting.
We also have demonstrated capabilities in the following
application areas:
Client/server
Database
Internet business applications
Knowledge management
Document and workflow management
Data warehousing
Data mining
Web applications
Internet filtering software solutions
Technology Assessment
Our Technology Assessment group focuses on helping
government managers improve their alignment of strategic
objectives within available resources. It has three areas
of specialization: evaluating the operational and economic
effects on and of government- and industry-sponsored
research and development projects; improving the
management of research, development, and production
programs; and improving resource management.
Evaluating Research Projects
We help clients quantify the benefits, costs, and safety
implications of introducing advanced technologies and
identify high-payoff investments. In providing that
assistance, we use a multidisciplinary approach to
understanding complex systems, such as air traffic
management, by developing and exercising analytical models
and simulations that capture the key aspects of real world
operations.
Cost and Program Analysis
We help clients improve management of development and
production programs by using the latest tools for
assessing project cost and schedule risk. VHO has
expertise at identifying the factors that influence the
developmental costs of complex systems. In the creating of
predictive cost models based on those factors; developing
metrics for measuring performance in infrastructure
activities, such as maintenance depots, supply activities,
and transportation organizations; and identifying best
commercial practices in accounting for inventories and
recommending how to apply those practices to government
organizations.
Resource Management
We work with government resource managers to improve their
processes, procedures, and mechanisms for developing
plans, programs, and budgets that support agency goals and
objectives. We evaluate internal and funds controls to
ensure compliance with statutes, and help to integrate
resource and performance standards to measure
effectiveness and efficiency. |
