To some Hoteling may sound like an odd work concept, but it could be the future for the shore enterprise.

More than 30 cross-organizational volunteers at Navy Installations Command (CNIC) headquarters began a six-week hoteling pilot program during a ribbon-cutting event at the Washington Navy Yard, June 12.

"Our goal is to create an environment to energize," said Joseph Ludovici, the command's deputy commander. "We want to make this a premier workplace and consolidate our footprint."

Hoteling is an office management strategy that considers alternative work resources, including workspace-sharing assets instead of individually-owned desks. Although many headquarters employees telework at least once a week, hoteling pilot participants will be able to work out of shared cubicles while on station at least once a week and from home between four and eight days during a pay period.

"Hoteling is just another alternative method of working we are exploring here at CNIC," said Susan Fritz, co-chair of the hoteling pilot working group and deputy director of Command and Staff. "Telework will continue as is, the difference being in hoteling is that the employee is not assigned a permanent workstation in their respective department. Employees who telework have a permanent work station at CNIC."

The working group, which includes representatives from every CNIC headquarters department, spent approximately 200 man-hours since last summer to ensure that the hoteling pilot launched by deadline, according to Bob Clarke, co-chair of the working group and a program manager with Facilities and Environmental. In addition, the team organized the 19 shared working spaces and provided volunteers with equipment, such as laptops and mobile devises, to be used during the pilot.

"It's great," said David Gow, CNIC public webmaster and hoteling pilot volunteer. "I feel hoteling allows management to better utilize personnel."

Through the pilot, the working group will be able to test IT capabilities, review communication protocols and explore other lessons learned to determine if hoteling would be effective throughout the shore enterprise,

Navy Installations Command is comprised of approximately 53,000 military and civilian personnel worldwide responsible for the operations, maintenance and quality of life programs to support the Navy's fleet, Sailors, and their families.

For more about the Navy's shore enterprise, visit www.cnic.navy.mil

For more news from Commander, Navy Installations Command, visit www.navy.mil/.