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Our Work
Examples of Successful Execution
REQUIREMENTS REVIEWS
Challenge: Client did not have a transparent or defensible process for linking security requirements with staffing levels and resource requests.
Cogent's Approach: Developed detailed, standard work breakdown structure for capturing security effort and costs. Developed processes and guidelines for conducting in-depth budget reviews and quarterly program reviews. Assembled integrated, expert teams to conduct facility surveys and analyze asset locations, security force configuration, response times, etc. to ensure adequacy of staffing levels and identify potential savings.
Outcome: Identified over $50M in potential savings. Achieved at least $10M in recurring, annual savings without increasing security risk.
TRAINING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Challenge: Client did not have standardized security force training or performance assessment program, resulting in broad inconsistencies across its facilities.
Cogent's Approach: Established standard list of Mission Essential Tasks. Developed standard framework for assessing proficiency of tasks and modifying training plans to prioritize highest needs. Developed and promulgated a standard training field manual. Supervised and supported implementation of the program across all facilities.
Outcome: Standardized training approach across all facilities. Training programs focused on most critical skills and areas in most need of improvement, resulting in better trained security forces.
SYSTEM CHARACTERIZATION
& PLANNING
Challenge: Client did not have an accurate characterization of the security equipment deployed at its facilities and could not accurately project requirements for technology refresh and sustainment.
Cogent's Approach: Developed standard templates for quantifying and characterizing deployed security assets, their condition, maintenance activity, alarm rates, inventory, and all associated costs. Validated data via on-site, hands-on surveys, condition assessments and spot checks. Established review process to track equipment installations, maintenance activity, alarm rates, and procurements, and inform budget projections related to refresh and sustainment.
Outcome: Comparable data to assess relative urgency of needs and resource demands. Greater senior-level attention on most critical security infrastructure needs. More Congressional support for high priority security-related projects. Less excess inventory, more accurate life-cycle planning, and defensible budget projections.
FEDERAL ACQUISITION SUPPORT
Challenge: Client required comprehensive support for guard force weapon standardization, including requirements review, course of action development, life-cycle sustainment analysis, and acquisition execution.
Cogent's Approach: Rapidly scoped issue, validated requirements, and developed a cost-effective acquisition strategy at an enterprise level. Developed cost estimates, acquisition documents, and fielding plans. Fielding plan included on-site acceptance reviews, form/fit/function testing and policy modifications. Coordinated actions between the client, partner agency, and other stakeholders.
Outcome: Bridged two Federal programs to execute a $5M Interagency Acquisition, which standardized duty rifles across multiple facilities. Reduced complexity within site armories, simplified life-cycle sustainment, and yielded significant cost savings.
DESIGN BASIS
THREAT IMPLEMENTATION
Challenge: Clients needed to implement a new Design Basis Threat that required more extensive analyses than previous threat policies.
Cogent's Approach: Characterized all site assets and determined appropriate protection levels. Created detailed release plume models for chemical holdings and radiological dispersal models for nuclear material holdings. Developed a comprehensive strategy for communicating risk based on site operating conditions. Completed defensible site security analysis for multiple sites.
Outcome: Accurately characterized protection system effectiveness and enabled site managers to effectively communicate risk to senior leadership, resulting in the first successful implementation of the new Design Basis Threat policy.
ANNUAL FINANCIAL AND PROGRAM REVIEW
Challenge: Client annual financial review for an annual $600M Program was not revised for several years and had become outdated. ITP was asked to update the content, refresh the financial metrics, and create new graphics utilizing a modern, “dashboard” style presentation to convey financial and mission performance more effectively.
Cogent’s Approach: ITP took a fresh look at what an annual financial presentation for such a large program should focus on and what was most important to highlight and review from the program’s perspective. This required a presentation that balanced financial performance metrics with mission performance highlights in a seamless presentation. The final design meshed financial metrics with program accomplishments and challenges so that the overall dashboard conveyed a holistic view of mission effectiveness.
Outcome: ITP received an award, “Challenge coin”, and a letter of appreciation which stated: “The Program leadership has shared the terrific work you did to develop a new EOY financial review template. This new template has vastly improved the ability of the program leadership and program managers to make informed decisions regarding uncosted balances. Leadership indicated that this template has really added to the effectiveness of discussions and his understanding of data on our finances. Great Work! Thanks for your innovation and “getting the job done” attitude.”
TACTICAL CASUALTY CARE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & IMPLEMENTATION
Challenge: Client did not have a standard, tactical life-saving treatment program for its armed security force. Sites were inconsistently prepared, and in some cases unprepared, to administer life-saving care in the event of emergencies.
Cogent's Approach: Established a standard tactical trauma care program to include basic sustainment, advanced training, and associated training equipment. Worked with specialized vendor to assemble a standard, cost-effective, individual first aid / trauma kit. Assisted customer with procurement of standard kit and oversaw field deployment.
Outcome: Client has a standard, world-class tactical casualty care program implemented consistently across multiple facilities. Program is comprehensive, including self-aid, buddy-aid and mass casualty care. Sites are much better prepared to mitigate consequences of active assailant or other emergency situations.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
WEB APPLICATION
Challenge: Client utilized a set of custom Excel workbooks as primary program management tools. Workbooks were used to establish Annual Operating Plans and track execution for over $700M in security work scope, but were cumbersome to consolidate, maintain, update, and transfer between hundreds of users across 10+ locations. Client devoted significant effort to ensuring data fidelity. A more modern, web-based solution was needed to increase efficiency and drive process improvements.
Cogent's Approach: Cogent developed a custom software solution to modernize the planning and reporting system and processes. The proprietary web-based application streamlined data collection and reporting. The system is remotely accessible from the client’s diverse operating sites and can be used by all users simultaneously. It provides a variety of additional user benefits, including enhanced reporting capabilities, automatic saving, automated data entry verification, approval process steps, and ensures real-time data transparency for critical decision making.
Outcome: More accurate program and project reporting; more time for managers to spend analyzing information and determining the proper course of action vs. validating data; reduced time spent exchanging data through email; central version control; less effort consolidating and maintaining data in Excel workbooks.
FINANCIAL PLANNING, ANALYSIS, AND EXECUTION TOOL
Challenge: Client financial planning, analysis, and reporting for an annual $200M Program was not robust enough to meet current needs.
Cogent’s Approach: ITP performed an evaluation and completely upgraded the financial planning and execution tool to include graphical visualizations and metrics. In addition, forecasted costs were added from all stakeholders to be able to track actual financial performance vs. plan.
Outcome: Client has a more consistent tool to track actual cost, forecasted cost, and performance which increased visibility, consistency, and accountability among stakeholders. Client has provided positive feedback from utilizing the revised financial tool.
