Workplace Observation

Workplace Observation 1

Workplace Observation

Joel Colon Berberena

Business Systems 310

Lawrence Fullerton

June 16, 2008

Workplace Observation 2

Workplace Observation

I am a government employee under the Logistics and Accounting occupational field within the US Marine Corps. While my field is diverse and varies between commands, I will consider my current commands Logistics and Accounting as its own organization, and the various departments which make up my command as clients for the purpose of this assignment.

3D Assault Amphibian Battalion requires a supply, logistics and accounting solution in order to properly execute daily operations; both at home and abroad, and maintain a constant state of readiness in the case of an emergency. My organizations mission is to provide these solutions and support the war fighters in any way possible. In doing so various tools, or systems have been implemented. These systems and their brief descriptions include:

Information Technology: The very heart of my organizations ability to function is information technology. It is the very foundation to every function performed within my organization. IT includes various applications, majority of which are tied together to facilitate tasks. IT provides Accounting and Finance with applications to pull reports displaying expenditures, future authorizations, and other information pertinent to any transaction performed which alters budget amounts. IT applications provide Operations with all the tools required to obligate funding in order to procure required weapons, equipment and materials.

Accounting and Finance: Consists of contracting, procurement, tracking and strict supervision of all monetary traffic. Various applications are utilized that provide several different types of reports. Each application varies in its degree of information detail provided. Accounting receives, oversees all requests, and makes the final determination

Workplace Observation 3

whether or not an order is to be placed. Accounting is also responsible for budget analysis and reports provided to the Commanding Officer.

Legal: Works alongside the accounting department to ensure proper ethics is being exercised in the performance of duties. Legal provides guidance and establishes regulations which determine the vendors and products my organization are authorized to deal with.

Operations: Is the main functioning portion of my organization. It is what orders anything and everything. Tracks the orders from placement to delivery, and ensures customer receipt. Operations is also responsible for the inventory of certain equipment that is deemed sensitive, or a controlled item (weapons, communications) as well as monthly inventory of all weapons and ordnance.

Each department interacts with each other both physically and on the IT levels. Current applications cannot be trusted to relay information on their own therefore all departments are always notified by email or in person of the actions of another if need be. Orders from the departments are approved by their section leaders. They are then taken accounting to determine of the requirement is valid and legal. If approved funding is set aside for that expenditure and the requests moves on to operations. An order is placed through determined lists of government vendors. The approving officials vary depending upon the dollar value of the requested. Operations then tracks and ensures the order arrives keeping in direct contact with accounting to ensure appropriate charges were incurred. Several IT applications are utilized in this process, none can be assigned for prominent use being they are highly unreliable and experience recurring down times.

Workplace