Office of Business Transformation (OBT)

About OBT

Background

In April 2006 the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (ASAM) created the Office of Business Transformation (OBT) to develop innovative strategies for change by breaking away from pre-existing boundaries and approaching management challenges from a customer focused, business results orientation. The intention was to better assist the Operating and Staff Divisions in meeting the Department’s overarching mission to help Americans live longer, healthier, and better lives, and do it in a way that protects our economic competitiveness as a nation. Recognizing the need to improve the level of our service offerings while, at the same time, reducing the cost of the service delivery was a key motivating factor behind ASAM’s transformation. OBT was created to help spearhead ASAM’s efforts to become a higher performing organization - and, wherever possible, to apply transformational practices Department-wide.

Conceived as an internal consulting group, OBT builds upon the success of the Office of Commercial Services Management with an expanded portfolio including broader transformational responsibilities. Led by a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Business Transformation, OBT works with organizations across HHS.

The OBT approach is highly collaborative - its goal is to assist the Operating and Staff Divisions in fulfilling their missions without imposing directed change. By design, OBT does not have a large staff. Rather, it is composed of several business and policy professionals who are dedicated to creating successful outcomes. Most projects involve all OBT staff in one capacity or another, leveraging their various areas of expertise to best meet the needs of their clients.

OBT’s role is to assist ASAM and the Department to create an environment where sound business practices produce strong program results and meaningful outcomes. It has a broad responsibility to look for ways to improve performance, reduce costs, and streamline management practices and processes in support of those who carry out HHS’ core mission activities. To accomplish these objectives, OBT analyzes current programs and initiatives, identifies gaps in service, develops proposals and business cases to improve capabilities, and partners with the Operating and Staff Divisions (OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs) in implementing solutions - especially those that cross organizational boundaries.

Created date: February 11, 2009
Reviewed date:  
Last revised: June 05, 2009