ANNAPOLIS, MD – Leaders from Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington convened on May 14, 2025, for the Spring Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) Roundtable at Metzger Hall on the U.S. Naval Academy campus. The strategic gathering brought together directors, managers, and supervisors from across NAVFAC Washington’s PDC sectors to align on mission readiness, workforce strategies, and construction innovation.

The roundtable, a key component of NAVFAC’s leadership development and project alignment efforts, focused on workforce optimization and process streamlining across the command’s diverse installation portfolio.

PDC Director and Chief Engineer Tom Cox underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving operational excellence.

“We’re focused on sharing experiences and best practices across our installations,” Cox noted, highlighting the collaborative approach to the mission.

Leaders discussed short- and long-term workforce needs, emphasizing strategic staffing, resource balancing, and anticipated workload shifts driven by emerging Navy priorities. Field offices contributed insights on improving coordination between installations and enhancing the efficiency of resource deployment.

Another highlight of the event was the discussion around new policies and tools. The implementation of updated Military Construction (MILCON) planning procedures and the newly integrated Certificate to Occupy (CTO) instruction into the Business Process Management System (BPMS) were among the main focuses.

Construction Director Javier Molinari emphasized the value of process improvements in delivering results:

“Streamlining processes also contribute to delivering quality projects on time and within budget,” Molinari said. “Overall, the alignment of the roundtable with the NAVFAC Washington’s mission is very strong, the event equips NAVFAC leaders with the knowledge and tools to execute the mission.”

Participants also explored broader Department of the Navy initiatives, including the Affordability and Acceleration Campaign, as outlined in a joint policy letter from Commander, Navy Installations Command and NAVFAC Headquarters. The campaign champions cost-effective construction approaches like Minimally Viable Projects and Lean Design-Build, with the goal of delivering infrastructure faster without compromising quality or scope.

The roundtable emphasized NAVFAC’s dual mission of infrastructure delivery and team care. Leadership development and team morale were prioritized, with Cox reiterating:

“While leaders must deliver NAVFAC products and services, they are equally responsible for supporting staff and fostering a positive work environment.”

Looking ahead, NAVFAC Washington announced plans to continue technical collaboration through PDC Deep Dive sessions, which will provide more detailed discussions on high-priority topics. The first of these sessions, set for June 2025, will center on best practices for using the CTO process within the BPMS platform.

The roundtable concluded with plans for the Fall 2025 PDC Roundtable, as NAVFAC continues to host two to three such strategy events each year. These sessions complement year-round discipline-specific Forums for planning, design, and construction professionals across the command.

By promoting innovation, aligning with Navy priorities, and enhancing internal coordination, NAVFAC Washington continues to advance its commitment to delivering resilient, cost-effective infrastructure and a mission-ready workforce.

Originally reported by Natasha Waldron Anthony in Dvids.