A commonality pilot training module was launched by Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station (NAVSSES) in the Total Workforce Management System (TWMS) Aug. 12.

The module trains NAVSSES employees on how to reduce the number of unique systems, subsystems, and components introduced into the fleet inventory through new ship acquisition programs and major modernization programs.

Bill Moss, the Commonality Team lead with NAVSSES, said the goal of the training is to improve the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) enterprise's employee awareness of the commonality roles, responsibilities and implementation process so it becomes a culture change in how the Navy does business. NAVSSES is serving as the test location for the initial training where it will be evaluated and tweaked before a full rollout to other NAVSEA activities.

"Working together with NAVSEA 06C (Enterprise Commonality Office), we plan to eventually roll this out to other commands," said Moss. "We hope to expand this training effort to all public and private shipyards, as well as all the warfare centers and regional maintenance centers."

Previously, Moss and his team conducted individual training sessions for small groups of employees at NAVSSES and other NAVSEA activities. This took a lot of time, was not efficient and the team came to the realization that as the effort grows, it would be near impossible to do face-to-face training throughout the warfare centers and beyond.

"We needed to come up with something on a broader scale," said Nick Mangraviti, engineering technical specialist with Provisioning and Supply Support Branch at NAVSSES. "We determined that the most efficient way to reach everyone with this training is by making it computer-based."

Moss said their goal was to create a training package that covers the critical material concerning commonality. The training concludes with a short quiz strictly to help the user determine their understanding of commonality and for the commonality team to determine the effectiveness of the computer-based training. There is no requirement to pass the quiz to receive credit for taking the training.

"The quiz simply helps us keep metrics on the effectiveness of the training," said Moss. "If we see that a lot of people are getting one specific question wrong, then we can take a look at it and see if we need to reword it, or maybe remove it altogether."

The training module explains NAVSEA Enterprise Commonality, gives the background of commonality within NAVSEA, describes the use of deep dives in achieving commonality, and teaches how to use the virtual shelf as a tool for achieving commonality.

"The goal of the training is to improve NAVSEA's employee awareness of the commonality implementation process so that it becomes a culture change in how we do business - integrate it into our daily work habits," said Moss.

Any NAVSSES employee required to take the training will be notified by TWMS or if you are interested in taking the training on your own, you can contact the Commonality Team at commonality.navsea@navy.mil to request the training separately.

The Ship Systems Engineering Station, Philadelphia is a major component of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division. It is the Navy's principal test and evaluation station and in-service engineering agent for all hull, mechanical and electrical ship systems and equipment and has the capability to test and engineer the full range of shipboard systems and equipment from full-scale propulsion systems to digital controls and electric power systems.

The NAVSEA Enterprise Commonality Office is a function of the recently created SEA 06 Acquisition and Commonality Directorate. SEA 06C is creating policies, processes and awareness in order to enable strategic commonality implementation in new construction, maintenance, and modernization programs throughout the Navy.

For more news from Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, visit www.navy.mil/.