Overview
Digital transformation is not just a hot topic, it is a priority for the Army. The Army Modernization Strategy identifies digital transformation as an essential component; representing a shift in operations and culture. This shift fundamentally changes how the Army delivers value through investments in transformative digital technologies needed to execute the full range of Army missions. In support of this initiative, the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office with the support of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data Engineering and Software (DASA-DES), is accelerating the digital transformation of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW).
What Is Digital Transformation?
The Army Modernization Strategy identifies digital transformation as an essential component to modernizing the Army. Digital transformation represents a shift in operations and culture that fundamentally change how the Army delivers value through investments in transformative digital technologies and builds the workforce into one with the training and experience needed to execute the full range of Army missions.
Digital Transformation IS:
- Key to ensuring that the Army becomes a modern, lethal and ready force that can dominate in technological environments
- An enabler for Army readiness and reform and serves as a catalyst to revitalize and establish the Army’s digital workforce of the future
- Driven through innovation and new business and operating models, powered by a digital workforce that is agile, adaptive and tech-savvy
- Aimed at developing a workforce that can continually adapt and adopt new advanced digital technologies (cloud, data and artificial intelligence)
Latest News
Digital Transformation Training
Increased collaborations and partnerships with industry and academia have become more important, as these are innovation sectors that have technology at the forefront and can assist with access to learning tools to “upskill” the workforce – minimizing gaps and expanding abilities to help grow the AAW now and into the future.
Upskilling is continuous learning to attain more relevant and advanced skills through additional education that expands abilities and minimizes skill gaps.
It also equips the workforce with the skills needed to step into new jobs and jobs with greater responsibility. Through continuous upskilling, the AAW will become infinite learners as work and technology rapidly changes and evolves.
Udemy Business
In collaboration with the Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA) and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data Engineering and Software (DASA DES), technical and non-technical acquisition professionals have access to a curated learning pathway within an online platform called Udemy to better help them understand digital transformation.
The Digital Foundations learning path courses in Udemy are counted as Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) and are pre-loaded into CAPPMIS. Upon course completion, the CLPs will automatically reflect in CAPPMIS. AAW members should not make a manual CLP request for the Udemy digital foundations courses. These courses can be used in tandem with other virtual or live training to achieve individual development goals.
Registering is EASY!
-
- Go to the specialized Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA) section of Udemy and fill-in the requested information. The email address/username that you utilize must be your army.mil address.
- Complete the email verification and fill out the required registration information.
- CLICK “LEARNING PATH” (AT THE TOP LEFT HANDSIDE OF THE WEBSITE) AND THEN CLICK “DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS” (ON THE LEFT HANDSIDE OF THE SITE) TO ACCESS THE CURATED COURSES: “Digital Transformation 2023 Masterclass,” “Agile Samurai Bootcamp,” and “Product Management for AI & Data Science.” THIS WILL ENSURE YOU ARE TAKING THE CORRECT COURSES – SAVING TRAINING TIME.
- You now have access and can start your digital transformation journey!
Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD)
By expanding and tailoring training and development programs, the DACM Office is providing a more targeted focus in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The LEAD program now includes an infusion of unique digital technology experiential and training opportunities, (i.e., IT, cyber, AI and human systems integration).
DAU
Through partnership with Coursera, Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is building out knowledge areas and credentials in software development, DevSecOps, artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security that will be available at the foundational level. These learning resources will build in-demand skills taught by top instructors from leading universities and companies like Yale and Google.
Carnegie Mellon University – Data Driven Leadership Course
Through partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, the DACM Office has launched an in-person, five-day digital transformation training course, Data Driven Leadership (DDL) for workforce members at the grade or broadband equivalent of Lt. Col or GS-14 (or higher). The DDL course offers a Certificate in Data Driven Leadership which covers key areas – data management, data science, decision making, emerging technology, change management, data privacy and security – to assist U.S. Army leadership in the development of a robust enterprise data management and data science capability to improve decision-making to better support the mission of the U.S Army. A two-day condensed executive offering is available for GO/SESs only.
All Acquisition workforce personnel must register for DDL via the Army Internet Training Application System (AITAS).
Upcoming Course Offerings
- FY25 CMU DDL Class Schedule (all classes held at CMU in Pittsburgh, PA):
- Class 001: Nov. 12-15, 2024 (only 4 days due to Veteran’s Day holiday)
- Class 002: Dec. 9-13, 2024
- Class 003: Jan. 27-31, 2025
- Class 004: Feb. 24-28, 2025
- Class 005: March 24-28, 2025
- Class 006: April 14-18, 2025
- Class 007: April 28 – May 2, 2025
- Class 008: June 9-13, 2025
- Class 009: Aug. 18-22, 2025
- Class 010: Sept. 8-12, 2025
- Class 011: Sept. 22-26, 2025
DDL Executive Course Schedule (GO/SES ONLY):
-
- Class 001: Feb. 3-4, 2025
- Class 002: Aug. 14-15, 2025
CMU DDL DACM Office POC:
Susan Clark, susan.e.clark.civ@army.mil.
Non-acquisition workforce personnel must contact Ms. Jacqueline Coffman at jacqueline.m.coffman.civ@army.mil to register.
DoD Digital On-Demand Training
NEW OFFERING! DOD DIGITAL ON-DEMAND TRAINING
Enrich your knowledge, empower your skill set, and shape the future of defense through DOD’s new Digital On-Demand Training – where learning meets innovation! The new initiative, launched Nov. 16, provides complimentary access to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Horizon platform – a suite of knowledge-packed modules on Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities and cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, Edge Computing, Generative AI, Cybersecurity, and Big Data Analytics.
This new offering is provided by the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) and aims to foster a baseline understanding of AI systems and other emerging technologies within the DOD. The platform is available to all DOD personnel, including the Army Acquisition workforce.
TRAINING ACCESS & REGISTRATION
Step One: Visit [digitalu.af.mil].
Step Two: Click “Get Started” to register and establish an account using a “.mil” email address.
Step Three: Post-registration, search for “MIT Horizon” or click here to gain access to the Digital University’s comprehensive training, webinars, and podcasts.
DIGITAL UNIVERSITY ONLINE EVENTS
Stay ahead of the curve with Digital University online events. Explore upcoming events for the latest offerings. Kindly note that registration is a prerequisite for accessing details on upcoming events.
Resources and Links
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Get a jump start on your digital transformation learning journey with Udemy! Below are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you begin.
Who can utilize Udemy?
Army Acquisition Workforce Civilians can access a Udemy license. Effective July 31, 2024, military personnel will no longer have access to Udemy licenses previously provided through the Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA). That said, there are numerous other free training opportunities available through the DAU virtual campus including a full Coursera catalog.
What courses should I take first?
The DACM Office has made it easy for the workforce to upskill and increase digital literacy by curating a digital foundations pathway for technical and non-technical professionals. The three prioritized courses to take first are: “Digital Transformation 2023 Masterclass” is the first foundations course. This masterclass takes you through the basics of digital transformation, including defining digital transformation, exploring the digital transformation framework, and topics centering around various digital technologies and design thinking. “Agile Samurai Bootcamp” covers everything needed to setup, execute, and successfully deliver your own Agile project, including in-depth discussion on agile teams, communication plans, and the mechanics behind the agile iteration. “Product Management for AI & Data Science” provides a complete overview for a product manager in the field of data science, key technological concepts and AI and the growing importance of AI and data in product management. Additional recommended training is available on topics such as data science, cloud computing, DevSecOps, artificial intelligence, machine learning and more.
IMPORTANT: CLICK “LEARNING PATH” (AT THE TOP LEFT HANDSIDE OF THE WEBSITE) AND THEN CLICK “DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS” (ON THE LEFT HANDSIDE OF THE SITE) TO ACCESS THE CURATED COURSES. DO NOT USE THE SEARCH BAR TO ACCESS THE DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS COURSES. THIS WILL ENSURE YOU ARE TAKING THE CORRECT COURSES – SAVING TRAINING TIME.
Is the training in Digital Foundations on Udemy mandatory?
- Digital literacy remains a FY24 CCAS mandatory objective for a select population. It covers newly assessed civilian AAW members who entered the workforce on or after 01OCT23, and who are assigned to acquisition-coded positions in ASA(ALT), USAASC and PEOs no later than 30 SEP 2024. Personnel onboarded after 01 JUL 2024 are exempt and will follow the following year’s CCAS objectives.
Will these courses be added to my IDP and count towards my continuous learning?
Yes, the courses in Udemy are counted as Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) and are auto credited into CAPPMIS and TEDS. Upon course completion, the CLPs will automatically reflect in CAPPMIS and TEDS during system refresh. You will not need to manually submit these courses to your IDP once complete. These courses can be used in tandem with other virtual or live training to achieve individual development goals.
Click here for more Digital Transformation FAQs (CAC Login Required)
Contacts
For Udemy, utilize the Udemy Help Desk or contact Udemy Support for issues with navigating, tabs, getting certificates, etc.). For questions with registration, CLPs into CAPPMIS, etc. submit a WMI ticket.
For general digital transformation questions, submit a WMI ticket.
