INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Accenture Global Services
INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Interview with Linda Singh
Senior Executive
Defense Group
Accenture Global Services
Linda Singh is a senior executive within Accenture’s Defense group and has more than 17 years experience in implementing large systems. She manages a second career as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Maryland Army National Guard. Singh has more than 26 years of service with the U.S. Army. She is currently the client executive for the Defense Integrated Military Human Resource System (DIMHRS) project, which will be the first system to integrate all U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps human resources functions into a single modern, integrated system. Singh is also one of the lead client executives for the U.S. Army account. Her project management and implementation experience spans numerous federal and Department of Defense organizations including the Social Security Administration, Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Army and National Guard Bureau.
Singh recently returned from deployment in which she served as the deputy chief of staff, Logistics (G4) for the Multinational Task Force East in Kosovo. During the deployment, Singh managed 110 contracts totaling more than $300 million, conducted two forwarding operating base closures, assisted in the management of the task force budget totaling $30 million and worked with 15 other countries to coordinate support services. She also worked with representatives from the Defense Logistics Agency, AMC, Joint Contracting Agency, Army Contracting Agency and several others.
Q: Please provide a brief background of Accenture.
A: Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments.
Q: How has Accenture become a major player in the military logistics arena?
A: Accenture is a major integrator on the business systems modernization program that supports logistics for the Department of Defense. We have also conducted studies that include Lean Six Sigma programs for:
- Integrated Logistics Project ¦ Developed strategy execution frame work for Army Joint Munitions Command ¦ $125 million savings over as much as 10 years of implementation ¦ Aligned and optimized ammunition storage depots, stockpile management, work force sizing and work load allocation
- JMC Consolidated Ammunition Management Small Shipment Process ¦ Reduced defect rate from 72 percent to 10.5 percent ¦ -0.91 sigma process quality improved to 1.25 sigma
- JMC Container Lease Cost Reduction ¦ $138,000 savings at two of five depots by returning service owned containers
- Tank Track Studies
- Technical Data Collaboration pilots
- Retrograde issue papers
In addition to supporting our clients, major transportation providers, manufacturing companies and others in turn provide better services to the military as a result of our efforts to help them change the way the work.
Q: What are the primary business areas of Accenture? [Please give a brief description of each and any logistics contracts involved.]
A: Accenture delivers its services and solutions through 17 focused industry groups in five operating groups. This industry focus provides Accenture’s professionals with a thorough understanding of industry evolution, business issues and applicable technologies, enabling Accenture to deliver solutions tailored to each client’s industry.
Q: What distinguishes Accenture from other defense industry services companies [i.e. goals, methodologies, etc.]?
A: Accenture provides end-to-end services to its clients, which means that they can enjoy one-stop shopping—from requirements definition to implementation. Accenture’s deep commitment to public service clients, its network of partners and extensive commercial and global experience enhance its services and solutions offerings to every branch of the military.
Q: What are the main challenges facing Accenture in keeping with your company’s strong military logistics focus?
A: The primary challenges are the focus and “operational tempo” of the military today, both of which have downstream impacts for the future of logistics and keeping industry engaged for the time that it will take to move the military towards palatable solutions. It will be critical to continue to help the military solve the logistics problems of today with focused solutions that support the war/conflict of the future. ♦