THE WELCH COMPANY
440 Davis Court #1602
San Francisco, CA 94111-2496
415 781 5700
rodwelch@pacbell.net


S U M M A R Y


DIARY: September 26, 1997 06:15 AM Friday; Rod Welch

Called Jim Jones on Communication Metrics review by USACE HQ

1...Summary/Objective
2...Cost/Benefit of Communication Metrics Needed from CESPN
.....Jim's email to Tom states that it is...
........... difficult to quantify ...savings [from communications.]
...........can [Communication Metrics] make us more cost effective.
.....Tom's letter to HQ states that Communication Metrics...
........[Enables projects] from recon through contract specifications
...........there would be fewer... errors and omissions in the drawings
........would have saved the government several million dollars in
...........[saving] cost of... claims and litigation is worth the cost
........... needs to be tried on a much broader scale..., ref DRT 2
3...USACE Policy Instructions to Reduce Operations Costs
4...Information Overload Results from Downsizing, Solved by Comm Metircs
5...Calculating Cost Savings of Better Management Uses Theory of Investing
6...Communication Metrics Savings Significant on Oakland Project
7...from decisions and actions by people. To say that thousands or
8...Calculate Savings on Operations Budgets
......Savings on projects are greater than for operations because:
..........1...Project budgets are bigger than operations budgets.
..........2...Projects are unique, complex, staffing is dynamic and
..........3...Obtaining feedback for internal operations is harder to
......Adding "metrics" to internal communications should yield
......Effective leadership increases savings from Communication Metrics
9...Plan and Budget to Test Communication Metrics Cost Savings
10...Support Test Case Application in CESPN to Determine Savings
11...District Leadership Needs Support to Test Communication Metrics
12...Cost Savings Critical to Wider Application of Communication Metrics
13...Communication Metrics Supports RMS and CCA Guide
14...Tom Received Request and Issued Preliminary Response to Jim
15...Visited Max on Status Review by Jim Jones, Tom Keesling


..............
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CONTACTS 
0201 - Corps of Engineers, SFD                                                                                                                                            O-00000632 0202
020101 - Mr. Thompson F. Keesling, Architect; Assistant Chief
020102 - Construction Operations Division
0202 - Corps of Engineers, SFD                                                                                                                                            O-00000632 0201
020201 - Mr. Max R. Blodgett, II, P.E., L.S.
020202 - Chief

SUBJECTS
COE Evaluation Communication Metrics
Analysis, Review, Research
Institutionalize Communication Metrics
CE HQ Evaluation
Calculate Risk Management Exposure NPV

1207 -
1207 -    ..
1208 - Summary/Objective
1209 -
120901 - Follow up
120902 -
120903 - Follow up ref SDS 16 0000, ref SDS 14 0000.
120904 -
120905 - Jim needs a cost savings calculation for Operating budgets from using
120906 - Communication Metrics.  He requested input from Tom on 970904 and Tom
120907 - submitted an explanation of savings.  A mix-up may have occurred on
120908 - telephone calls a few weeks ago.  We scheduled today to submit the
120909 - calculation Jim needs, hopefully by end of week.  Jim indicated if
120910 - cost savings is favorably reviewed, consideration will be given to
120911 - supporting extended study of Communication Metrics, per Tom's
120912 - recommendation.  Briefed Max.
120913 -
120914 -     [See submission to Tom for review on 970929, ref SDS 18 0000.]
120916 -      ..
120917 -     [See submission to Jim on 971008 of cost savings report for
120918 -     Communication Metrics, ref SDS 24 line 90.]
120920 -      ..
120921 -     [On 971015 research HQUSACE Web site. ref SDS 25 0000]
120923 -      ..
120924 -     [See telecon with Jim on 971016 re cost report, ref SDS 26 0000.]
120926 -  ..
1210 -
1211 -
1212 - Called Jim Jones               202 761 0650 or 0649 for Dorothy
1213 -   ..
121301 - Talked to Dorothy.  She said Jim is in a meeting, and she gave
121302 - me his direct number.  I called and left a voice mail asking about the
121303 - status of Jim's review of Communication Metrics with Jim Lovo.
121304 -
121306 -  ..
1214 -
1215 -
1216 - 0713 Jim called back
1217 -
121701 - Jim advised that he got the article on "Winning People Over" relating
121702 - the importance of "feedback" for effective communication, which was
121703 - sent to Jim Lovo last week, ref DIP 3 0000.
121705 -  ..
121706 - I asked about the status of reviewing Communication Metrics?
121707 -
121708 -
121710 -  ..
121711 - Cost/Benefit of Communication Metrics Needed from CESPN
121712 -
121713 - Followed up work at ref SDS 9 line 92.
121714 -
121715 - Jim said he is waiting for a cost/benefit analysis from Tom Keelsing.
121716 -
121717 -     [See submission of draft to Tom on 971002. ref SDS 21 0000]
121719 -      ..
121720 -     [See submission to Jim on 971008 of cost savings report for
121721 -     Communication Metrics, ref SDS 24 0000.]
121723 -      ..
121724 -     [See telecon with Jim on 971017 ref SDS 26 0000.]
121725 - ..
121726 - Jim advised of having submitted an email to Tom requesting a
121727 - cost/benefit analysis (see below ref SDS 0 9539); and he indicated
121728 - having called Tom a few weeks ago to request more information on cost
121729 - savings from Communication Metrics, per our discussion on 970828. see
121730 - ref SDS 9 8333.
121731 -     ..
121732 -     In the afternoon, I received Jim's email to Tom dated
121733 -     970904, ref DRT 1, and Tom's reply, both dated 970904, per the
121734 -     record below. ref SDS 0 4166
121736 -      ..
121737 -     Jim's email to Tom states that it is...
121738 -
121739 -        ... difficult to quantify ...savings [from communications.]
121740 -
121741 -           ...which reflects management texts, ref SDS 10 3577; and
121742 -           Jim's comments on 970828. ref SDS 9 9900
121743 -
121744 -           [On 971229 analyzed cost savings from better communication.
121745 -           ref SDS 30 3481]
121747 -            ..
121748 -           [On 980630 article in Project Management Journal supports
121749 -           Jim's view on this. ref SDS 34 0606]
121750 -         ..
121751 -        ...can [Communication Metrics] make us more cost effective.
121752 -        [HQ] wants to see the hard data.  Need your input. ref DRT 1
121753 -        3110.
121754 -
121755 -           [On 971008 cost savings report submitted to Jim. ref SDS 24
121756 -           0000.]
121757 -     ..
121758 -     Tom's letter to HQ states that Communication Metrics...
121759 -     
121760 -        [Enables projects] from recon through contract specifications
121761 -        [to] be traced to source documents very quickly. ref DRT 2 0896
121762 -
121763 -        ...links between PSP, PCA, Environmental documents, contract
121764 -        plans and specifications would eliminate ... lost information
121765 -        or discrepancies between documents. ref DRT 2 0896
121767 -  ..
121768 -
121769 -        ...there would be fewer... errors and omissions in the drawings
121770 -        and less chance for contract claims, ref DRT 2 0896.
121771 -
121772 -        ...[used to the end of the Oakland Harbor project] probably
121773 -        would have saved the government several million dollars in
121774 -        potential claims.., ref DRT 2 4864.
121775 -         ..
121776 -        ...[saving] cost of... claims and litigation is worth the cost
121777 -        ref DRT 2 4864.
121778 -
121779 -           [On 980630 article in Project Management Journal supports
121780 -           Tom's view on this. ref SDS 34 0606]
121781 -
121782 -        ... needs to be tried on a much broader scale..., ref DRT 2
121783 -        4864.
121784 -
121785 - We noted this morning that business intelligence from Communication
121786 - Metrics provides organization and analysis of information to support
121787 - better decisions, it reduces mistakes and maintains visibility of
121788 - action items.  Therefore Communication Metrics should reduce costs.
121790 -  ..
121791 - Jim needs an analysis quantifying estimated savings to the Corps from
121792 - using Communication Metrics, as reflected by Tom's 970904 report.
121793 -
121794 -        [See submission to Jim on 971008 of cost savings report for
121795 -        Communication Metrics. ref SDS 24 0000]
121796 -
121797 -     Possibly this could be added to the Communication Metrics report
121798 -     as Appendix F.
121800 -  ..
121801 - USACE Policy Instructions to Reduce Operations Costs
121802 -
121803 - Follow up ref SDS 9 9900.
121804 -
121805 - Jim advised that recent planning meetings with the Commander of the
121806 - Corps of Engineers resulted in instructions to reduce Operating
121807 - budgets.  He emphasized this is the current business climate within
121808 - the Corps of Engineers to downsize.
121809 -
121810 -      [On 971017 Jim explained downsizing again. ref SDS 26 0944]
121811 -
121813 -  ..
121814 - Information Overload Results from Downsizing, Solved by Comm Metircs
121815 -
121816 - I noted an "El Nino" on the horizon of the business climate due to
121817 - expanding work loads and unproductive information technology being
121818 - forced upon people in government and the private sector, per letter to
121819 - Marsh & McLennan, ref DIP 2 2369, issued at, ref SDS 17 4235, citing
121820 - article in Computerworld on 970915, that has a macro economic analysis
121821 - showing IT has not improved productivity, ref SDS 15 4739.
121822 -
121823 -      [On 980613 article in "Today's Engineer" cites a tsaunami of
121824 -      information overload is a new reality that reduces productivity.
121825 -      ref SDS 33 1706]
121827 -       ..
121828 -      [On 971202 meeting at HQUSACE indicates senior executives are
121829 -      unaware of "new realities" ref SDS 28 3231]
121831 -  ..
121832 - Reuters reports on 970919 a British study reaching the same
121833 - conclusion, ref SDS 15 4739.  This supports the District's report on
121834 - Communication Metrics, explaining IT is missing the ingredients of
121835 - integrating time and information, and it lacks dedicated personnel to
121836 - ensure production of business intelligence, ref DRP 1 1912, USACE
121837 - insistence on cost effectiveness is appropriate and essential, per the
121838 - public record.
121839 -
121841 -  ..
121842 - Calculating Cost Savings of Better Management Uses Theory of Investing
121843 -
121844 - Follow up ref SDS 9 9900.
121845 -
121846 - Cost savings on Communication Metrics can be quantified based on
121847 - theory of value for management work, e.g., Resident Engineer, Project
121848 - Manager, Communication Manager, Accountant, cost, schedule, planning
121849 - engineers, etc, which expressly states that precise calculations are
121850 - not possible, see ref SDS 10 3577.
121852 -  ..
121853 - Peter Drucker recognizes that investing in better management is the
121854 - most valuable resource for productivity and earnings, but there is not
121855 - a precise procedure to calculate cost investing in better management
121856 - because its impact is pervasive. ref SDS 1 7720 and ref SDS 1 8229
121857 -
121858 -     Jim's letter to Tom, received below, seems to recognize this
121859 -     point, ref DRT 1 3110.
121861 -      ..
121862 -     [See also telecon with Jim on 971017, ref SDS 26 2678 and further
121863 -     at ref SDS 26 5688]
121865 -      ..
121866 -     [On 980630 article in Project Management Journal supports Jim's
121867 -     view on this. ref SDS 34 0606]
121868 -
121870 -  ..
121871 - Communication Metrics Savings Significant on Oakland Project
121872 -
121873 - Follow up ref SDS 9 9900.
121874 -
121875 - Circumstances of the Oakland Harbor project present an opportunity to
121876 - demonstrate savings by reducing exposure and eventual payout on $65M
121877 - in claims.  We might be able to get support from District counsel on
121878 - the value of Communication Metrics performed during the evaluation
121879 - contract for the period 960915 - 961231, based on a request for
121880 - Communication Metrics support for current litigation activity, that
121881 - was made at a meeting on 970723. ref SDS 7 3218  To the extent that
121882 - District Counsel expense is part of Operations budgets, this alone
121883 - could be a significant savings.
121884 -
121885 -     Tom's reply to Jim's request on 970904 makes this point at ref DRT
121886 -     2 4864.
121887 -
121888 -        [On 980520 Max Blodgett advised that Communication Metrics
121889 -        helped CESPN settle litigation under terms favorable to the
121890 -        government. ref SDS 32 2405]
121892 -         ..
121893 -        [On 980803 Tom submitted letter to District Counsel, Merry
121894 -        Goodenough requesting comments on USACE estimate of cost
121895 -        savings issued on 971007. ref SDS 35 0000]
121897 -  ..
121898 - The District's Communication Metrics report cites savings on the Navy
121899 - Sewer Line, ref DRP 1 line 493 and ref DRP 1 line 834, but did not
121900 - quantify it.  There were a number of other cases where Communication
121901 - Metrics identified specific actions, for example the Mud Bucket
121902 - problem and the formulation of RFP #19, both related to dredging the
121903 - Todd/Schnitzer Wing, yield cost savings.  Similarly, initiatives under
121904 - Communication Metrics to get the contractor to comply with contract
121905 - requirements for planning the work, saved cost to the sponsor, the
121906 - contractor and to the Corps of Engineers which failure to perform
121907 - would have caused.
121908 - ..
121909 - Per discussion with DE on 970624, ref SDS 5 line 367, we
121910 - originally decided not to quantify cost savings, because savings arise
121911 - from decisions and actions by people.  To say that thousands or
121912 - millions of dollars were saved tends to place the focus on blaming
121913 - people, rather than on improving business process so that people are
121914 - empowered to manage productively in the changing business environment,
121915 - ref SDS 4 line 153.
121916 -
121917 -     [See discussion on 971017, ref SDS 26 line 321.]
121918 -
121920 -  ..
121921 - Calculate Savings on Operations Budgets
121922 -
121923 - Jim explained the need to identify savings from Operating budgets as
121924 - well as project contract accounts.  He suggested calculating the time
121925 - saved obtaining information from the record, and from tracking pending
121926 - actions.
121927 -
121928 -          [See calculation doing this based on avoiding "rework" at ref
121929 -          SDS 15 line 501.]
121931 -           ..
121932 -          [See similar suggestion by Max Wideman to calculate savings
121933 -          in resarch from Communication Manager performing it, ref SDS
121934 -          23 line 252.]
121936 -           ..
121937 -          [See telecon with Jim on 971016 ref SDS 26 line 83.]
121939 -       ..
121940 -      This is a good approach.  People are not digging information out
121941 -      of the system because they do not have time, ref DRP 1 line 831,
121942 -      and so saving time on this task can be supplemented to yield
121943 -      major cost savings.
121945 -       ..
121946 -      Similarly, people are not tracking action items because they do
121947 -      not have time.  They are going to meetings, making calls, sending
121948 -      and reading email to fix mistakes caused by cursory decisions
121949 -      because there isn't enough time to capture the record and use it
121950 -      per Marc McGovern's memo in the District's report, ref DRP 1 line
121951 -      830.  Cancelling RFP #19 on Oakland is one example, ref SDS 3
121952 -      line 119.
121953 -
121954 -          [See development of savings from "rework" at ref SDS 19 line
121955 -          501.]
121956 -       ..
121957 -      Savings on projects are greater than for operations because:
121958 -
121959 -          1.  Project budgets are bigger than operations budgets.
121960 -
121961 -          2.  Projects are unique, complex, staffing is dynamic and
121962 -              learning curves occur for all organizational functions
121963 -              This makes daily supervision and administration of
121964 -              projects more susceptible to communication breakdowns
121965 -              than occur for operations which entail repetitive tasks,
121966 -              relatively constant staffing, with less impact from
121967 -              learning curves.
121969 -            ..
121970 -           [See further analysis indicating Communication Metrics may
121971 -           yield higher percentage of savings on District Operations,
121972 -           ref SDS 22 line 138.
121973 -               ..
121974 -          3.  Obtaining feedback for internal operations is harder to
121975 -              ensure accurate understandings.  Avoiding hurt feelings
121976 -              and political resistance raise the cost of Communication
121977 -              Metrics because it is slower work, ref SDS 5 line 262.
121978 -              This is less of a factor on projects where feedback
121979 -              metrics are supported by contract notice provisions.
121980 -      ..
121981 -      Adding "metrics" to internal communications should yield
121982 -      savings on operational budgets by reducing a well recognized cost
121983 -      factor called "rework" caused by daily reliance on "guess and
121984 -      gossip" cited in the District's report, ref DRP 1 line 168.
121985 -
121986 -          [On 971001 developed savings from "rework" at ref SDS 19
121987 -          4472.]
121989 -           ..
121990 -          [On 980630 article in Project Management Journal supports
121991 -          Jim's view on this. ref SDS 34 0606]
121992 -       ..
121993 -      Effective leadership increases savings from Communication Metrics
121994 -      on Operating budgets by overcoming the influence of politics
121995 -      (point 3 above),
121996 -
121997 -      Proactive analysis discovers overlooked opportunities and errors
121998 -      in communications that lead to cost growth. Empowering executives
121999 -      to act on these opportunities, by providing early notice, reduces
122000 -      costs; and, similarly, aligning communications with objectives,
122001 -      commitments and prior related understandings increases the chance
122002 -      that actions taken will accomplish objectives without cost growth
122003 -      due to "information entropy" cited by U.S. Air Force Institute of
122004 -      Technology, ref SDS 6 line 308, called "guess and gossip" in the
122005 -      District's report, ref DRP 1 line 168.
122007 -       ..
122008 -      Possibly a spreadsheet model can be developed to calculate cost
122009 -      savings from reduction of administrative "rework" due to the
122010 -      factors cited by Jim.
122011 -
122012 -          [See development of savings from "rework" at ref SDS 19 line
122013 -          506.]
122014 -
122015 -
122016 -
1221 -

SUBJECTS
SAD Tests New Methods
Study New Methods
HQ Review CEMP
CESA Review
Wider Use Comm Metrics

1907 -
190801 -  ..
190802 - Plan and Budget to Test Communication Metrics Cost Savings
190803 -
190804 - Follow up ref SDS 9 7599.
190805 -
190806 - Immediate objective is to do an extended study that develops data
190807 - supporting the results and projected savings identified in the
190808 - District's initial report, ref DRP 1 line 623.
190809 -
190810 -      Tom Keesling's report to Jim on 970904 makes this same point,
190811 -      that we need an extended study, ref DRT 2 line 57.
190812 -
190814 -  ..
190815 - Support Test Case Application in CESPN to Determine Savings
190816 -
190817 - We considered in our discussion on 970828, that the SAD and SWD are
190818 - designated for testing new methodologies, ref SDS 9 7599.  Jim advised
190819 - that testing they do must be funded from operating budgets.
190820 -
190821 -      [On 980520 Tom Keesling considered notifying CESA about testing
190822 -      Communication Metrics. ref SDS 32 1594]
190824 -  ..
190825 - The logical place then to do an extended study of Communication
190826 - Metrics is in the San Francisco District where the need is fairly well
190827 - recognized by those charged with getting work done.
190828 -
190829 -      [On 971202 presented Communication Metrics to HQUSACE and
190830 -      considered need for further testing. ref SDS 28 2392]
190832 -       ..
190833 -      [On 971205 Jim Jones, CEMP-E, indicated testing will verify cost
190834 -      savings. ref SDS 29 6039]
190836 -       ..
190837 -      [On 980520 Max Blodgett indicated support from HQUSACE would be
190838 -      helpful to signal local managers of need to try new methods. ref
190839 -      SDS 26 1235]
190840 -
190841 -
190842 -
1909 -

SUBJECTS
Windows Religion, Blind Faith Disbelieve
SDS DOS Program Not Windows
Conflicting Understandings Causes Anger,
Speaking at Meetings, Comm Manager, Angers

2306 -
230701 -  ..
230702 - District Leadership Needs Support to Test Communication Metrics
230703 -
230704 - We reviewed the need for leadership to assist local command in
230705 - supporting this testing, ref SDS 5 6499, as recommended in the
230706 - District's report.  District Engineer LTC Thompson has raised three
230707 - important concerns:
230708 -
230709 -     1.  SDS used to support Communication Metrics is a DOS program,
230710 -         like RMS.  Can Communication Metrics adequately integrate with
230711 -         DE's objective to standardize on Windows 95?
230713 -          ..
230714 -         District managers who have worked with Communication Metrics
230715 -         conclude this can be done, per Appendix A of the District's
230716 -         report.
230717 -
230718 -           [On 971105 began project to deliver intelligence via
230719 -           Internet that can be used with Windows 95. ref SDS 27 1459]
230721 -            ..
230722 -           [On 980403 demonstrated system to CESPN. ref SDS 31 0000]
230724 -            ..
230725 -           [On 980520 CESPN approved of new system. ref SDS 32 4333]
230727 -          ..
230728 -     2.  Can the District produce useful business intelligence with
230729 -         Communication Metrics from different understandings of what
230730 -         transpires at a meeting?  Is there enough time for commanders
230731 -         to provide the feedback essential for an accurate record, as
230732 -         was done by those at the project management level?
230734 -          ..
230735 -         District managers who worked with Communication Metrics found
230736 -         that feedback is necessary, and that Communication Metrics is
230737 -         a direct, efficient way to accomplish it.
230738 -
230739 -           [On 980520 CESPN approved of new system. ref SDS 32 4333]
230741 -          ..
230742 -     3.  Can the District gain the benefit of a Communication Manager
230743 -         facilitating meetings while maintaining protocol of District
230744 -         leadership?
230746 -          ..
230747 -         District managers developed procedures to do this, per Herb
230748 -         Cheong's memo in Appendix A, ref DRP 1 line 761.
230750 -       ..
230751 -      [On 980520 Max Blodgett indicated support from HQUSACE would be
230752 -      helpful to signal local managers of need to try new methods. ref
230753 -      SDS 26 1235]
230754 -
230755 -
230756 -
230757 -
2308 -

SUBJECTS
Test Comm Metrics Favorable Results
Cost Savings Communication Metrics
HQ Support Local Command Review
Defer Local Command Review to Better Period

2706 -
270701 -  ..
270702 - Cost Savings Critical to Wider Application of Communication Metrics
270703 -
270704 - If the District can demonstrate meaningful cost savings through use of
270705 - Communication Metrics, as indicated in the District's report, it would
270706 - be a significant accomplishment for the District, the Corps and for
270707 - those who support the effort.
270709 -  ..
270710 - Jim seemed to indicate that once the District submits the analysis of
270711 - cost savings, then he can discuss with his boss and their management
270712 - team the best way to provide leadership to help local command support
270713 - this initiative.
270714 -
270715 -     [See development of calculation, ref SDS 19 2496, and preparation
270716 -     of a draft memo for submission to Jim, ref SDS 20 line 103.]
270718 -      ..
270719 -     [See cost savings report submitted to Jim on 971008. ref SDS 24
270720 -     2979]
270722 -  ..
270723 - We also considered that the timing of current budget concerns and near
270724 - term focus of commanders, may result in the best course being to wait
270725 - another 6 - 9 months before pressing forward.  Simply stand by and let
270726 - current conditions take their natural course.
270727 -
270728 -
270729 -
270730 -
270731 -
270732 -
2708 -

SUBJECTS
CCA Guide, RMS
Resident Management System (RMS)

3204 -
320501 -  ..
320502 - Communication Metrics Supports RMS and CCA Guide
320503 -
320504 - Followed up work at ref SDS 16 line 125, ref SDS 12 line 117.
320505 -
320506 - We discussed the added benefit of using Communication Metrics to
320507 - support implementation of RMS and other automated systems being
320508 - fielded by the Corps of Engineers.
320510 -  ..
320511 - Communication Metrics support has been requested by the Chief of Con
320512 - Ops to ensure contract administration is maintained while adopting new
320513 - automated systems.  This support provides planning and daily help for
320514 - implementation without adverse impacts to contractor performance due
320515 - to the learning curve in fielding new systems.  The letter submitting
320516 - the Communication Metrics report to Jim, ref DIP 1 line 29, included
320517 - the record showing how the District intends to apply Communication
320518 - Metrics, and it explained why it is more effective than other methods,
320519 - per discussion with Jim on 970815, ref SDS 8 line 63.
320521 -  ..
320522 - Jim said Congress approved a budget to implement RMS, but that budget
320523 - is fully allocated.
320525 -  ..
320526 - The calculation he wants needs to show Communication Metrics can
320527 - reduce the cost of implementation.
320528 -
320529 -     [See cost savings report submitted to Jim on 971008. ref SDS 24
320530 -     2979]
320531 -
320532 -
320533 -
320534 -
320535 -
3206 -

SUBJECTS
COE Evaluation Communication Metrics
Analysis, Review, Research
Institutionalize Communication Metrics
CE HQ Evaluation
Scenario Benefit Communication Manager,
Examples of Need for SDS
Scenario Typical Day Using SDS

4409 -
4410 - 0852 called Tom
441101 -  ..
441102 - Tom Received Request and Issued Preliminary Response to Jim
441103 -
441104 - Tom said he got an email from Jim and submitted a response. (see below
441105 - for receipt of documents, ref SDS 0 4166)  Tom does not recall getting
441106 - a call from Jim.  Possibly Jim left a message which someone else took
441107 - while Tom was out of the office a few weeks ago; see ref SDS 0 4225;
441108 - or, Jim may have intended to call Tom, and, as a result, believes he
441109 - made the call when in fact no call was made due to the press of other
441110 - business, per Jim's concern voiced on 970828 about being swamped by
441111 - information. ref SDS 9 9900
441113 -  ..
441114 - This record is a microcosm of problem solved by Communication Metrics
441115 - in the modern era of information overload, which was cited at a
441116 - professional meeting on 970910. ref SDS 13 3479
441117 -
441118 -      [On 990126 communication snafu at HQUSACE. ref SDS 36 3402]
441119 -
441120 -      [On 990204 Max did not recall discussing IBM's business
441121 -      intelligence system. ref SDS 37 4719]
441123 -       ..
441124 -      [On 990224 clarification of communication. ref SDS 38 1718]
441126 -  ..
441127 - Tom's letter requests that Jim call for additional input. Jim called
441128 - and requested additional input but Tom did not get the call.  Our aim
441129 - now is to understand what has happened, and to try to build common
441130 - goals and coordinated effort.
441132 -  ..
441133 - In any case, we can develop the cost/benefit analysis in a similar
441134 - vein to that used for the Project Manager role the Corps introduced
441135 - some years ago.  If that is not available, we can formulate something
441136 - to meet Jim's needs.
441137 - ..
441138 - It would be helpful to get from Jim the format of a numerical
441139 - analysis that is typically be used for these purposes.
441140 -
441141 -     [Did not receive format from Jim, so developed a method to make
441142 -     this calculation based on avoiding "rework." ref SDS 19 2496]
441143 -
441144 -     [On 971017 received information that Partnering, Project
441145 -     Management were approved based on general feeling that it would
441146 -     save money. ref SDS 26 3897]
441148 -      ..
441149 -     [See cost savings report submitted to Jim on 971008. ref SDS 24
441150 -     2979]
441152 -      ..
441153 -     [On 971205 judgement on Communication Metrics based on no further
441154 -     study. ref SDS 29 6039]
441156 -  ..
441157 - I asked Tom for the email from Jim, and Tom's response, so we can
441158 - establish a baseline of what has transpired, maintain consistency and
441159 - make any corrections in understandings that may be necessary, as
441160 - indicated from our discussions today.  Tom said he recently cleared
441161 - his email directory, but he thinks he has a printed copy of this
441162 - communication.
441163 -
441165 -  ..
4412 -
4413 -
4414 - 1442 Called Tom
4415 -
441501 - When I returned from the meeting at Caltrans, ref SDS 17 line 60,
441502 - there was an email from Tom that he had located Jim's email and the
441503 - response he sent.
441505 -  ..
441506 - I called Tom and asked if I can pick up these messages for analysis
441507 - over the weekend.  He leaves at 1500, but will have them on his desk
441508 - with a note for me to take them.
441509 -
441511 -  ..
4416 -
4417 -
4418 - 1505 Visited CESPN Received Jim's 970904 Letter
4419 -   ..
441901 - After delivering the letter to John Letteiri at Marsh &
441902 - McLennan, ref SDS 17 line 84, I walked to CESPN offices and found the
441903 - printed copy of the email messages, ref DRT 1, from Jim to Tom dated
441904 - 970904 and Tom's response, ref DRT 2, dated 970904.
441906 -  ..
441907 - The substance of these documents is set out above in the discussion
441908 - with Jim. ref SDS 0 2698
441909 -
441911 -  ..
441912 - Visited Max on Status Review by Jim Jones, Tom Keesling
441913 -
441914 - Advised Max of above understandings, ref SDS 0 9539, and communication
441915 - between Tom and Jim. ref SDS 0 4166
441916 -
441917 -
4420 -
Distribution. . . . See "CONTACTS"