Using Lean Six Sigma to Streamline Engineering Processes

Background

The IRS engineering organization plays a vital role in integrating IRS business systems with the infrastructure. When business applications require new capabilities, engineers conduct detailed assessments to determine the changes needed to the infrastructure. Through these impact studies, budgets are generated, and plans are formulated. Any misstep in the process could lead to costly overruns and schedule delays.

Challenge

At the end of 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was the largest overhaul of the tax code since 1986. Expecting that more than 120 IRS systems would be affected, the IRS knew its processes and procedures would need streamlining in order to handle the unprecedented volume of change requests and impact assessments.

Services
- .01Engineering
- .02Staff Augmentation

The Solution

The IRS needed expertise in optimizing its business processes. The IRS also needed assistance with executing the process once it was improved. Unfortunately, the IRS had limited time and money. The IRS tasked Northrop Grumman with developing a solution. Having success using STP to fulfill its most difficult needs, Northrop Grumman tasked STP with solving the problem. Fortunately, STP was up to the challenge having extensive experience improving and executing IRS processes. STP’s business process expert, with over 10 years of IRS experience, used Lean Six Sigma methodologies to improve the efficiency and quality of the IRS review and analysis process. Through STP’s 2,299 hours of expert support, the IRS was able to successfully impact the massive amount of changes needed to support the new legislation.