OneODT: Our People-Centered Approach to Driving Change at the FDA

The Office of Digital Transformation (ODT) was established in September 2021 and reports directly to the Office of the Commissioner. ODT faced immediate growth and development challenges as a new organization. Historically, we’ve dealt with significant challenges in communications, stakeholder partnerships, customer experience, employee engagement, and morale. There were also longstanding institutional silos that inhibited our ability to share information and collaborate. Internally, ODT’s Executive Officer and the Executive Leadership Team sought to redefine the employee experience, improve communication, and align our collaborative efforts under one clear direction toward achieving ODT strategic priorities.

In January 2022, ODT kicked off the theme of “OneODT” to create networking opportunities, break down barriers and silos, and tell a story that highlights our work to transform and modernize the FDA’s digital landscape. We’ve led the charge with important strategic efforts to modernize a public health agency, and ensure we receive the most from talent, technology, and budget. Within a single year, a new, fragmented organization has become OneODT. 

People and talent are critical to our modernization framework, and by elevating ODT within the FDA, we are strengthening agency-wide collaboration and amplifying our expertise. Over the last year, OneODT efforts have delivered new and updated employee services, including talent acquisition and retention, teambuilding events, knowledge sharing and learning opportunities, leadership coaching, performance management, and other services that benefit our staff. 

This month, ODT released our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Action Plan 2023 that outlines seven key objectives, strategies, and key performance indicators that will serve as our roadmap to guide the efforts of all ODT offices in advancing FDA’s DEIA Strategic Plan. DEIA is a key component to successful inclusion and staff engagement under a unifying strategic theme like OneODT. Our DEIA efforts strive to ensure that our workforce is diverse, engaged, and working in an environment that supports authenticity and belonging.

OneODT helped us establish our organizational identity and culture. Much of our work is shifting fast, and we need to be ready. We are moving from an initial start-up phase to address early growth challenges – OneODT – to a broader FDA enterprise transformation we’re calling “All FDA.” Our model for excellence is grounded in our shared values and will serve as the roadmap to building the leading technology, data, and cybersecurity organization in government. Together, we will cultivate a federal model of a world-class people-centered organization. The journey continues, and we are ready!

To learn more, please read our OneODT White Paper.

FDA Modernization in Action 2022

In September 2019, the FDA released the Agency’s Technology Modernization Action Plan (TMAP), followed in March 2021 by the release of the Data Modernization Action Plan (DMAP). The plans shared the FDA’s vision for technology and data modernization to advance the Agency’s mission:

Modernization in Action 2022 (PDF)

TMAP’s three areas of focus include modernizing the FDA’s technical infrastructure and operations; enhancing the FDA’s capabilities to develop technology products; and communication and collaboration with external stakeholders to drive technological progress that is interoperable and delivers value to consumers and patients. 

DMAP outlined three key objectives, including identifying and executing high-value, scalable driver projects for the FDA and individual FDA Centers; developing consistent and repeatable data practices across the Agency; and creating and sustaining a strong talent network combining internal strengths with key external partnerships. 

TMAP and DMAP have provided important frameworks for the FDA’s modernization over the past three years. In March 2022, ODT provided an update on FDA’s tech and data modernization progress with the Modernization in Action 2022 report. Our continued journey will increasingly focus on integration into all aspects of FDA operations in support of cross-agency initiatives to optimize shared business processes. These efforts will enhance operational efficiency and use of our data, while strengthening the alignment between Agency-wide strategic objectives and investments.

For more information about FDA’s Modernization in Action, check out our FDA Voices Blog.