Using ECDM to Help VA Improve the Veteran Experience and Streamline Internal Processes

Challenge

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) consists of three major administrations: Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA), and the National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Each uses different systems that do not interoperate, making it extremely challenging for Veterans and VA personnel to ensure Veteran information is up-to-date and accurate. As part of the MyVA 12 Breakthrough Initiatives, the Veterans Experience Office (VEO) needs to create common access to Veteran records across the enterprise and develop data quality and data governance programs that ensure that the highest quality data is available to the Veteran and VA employees are acting on the right data about the Veteran. The VEO must also create a set of processes and procedures to help implement this massive change management initiative at the enterprise level.

Solution

VA contracted Atlas Research to support the acquisition of a master data management system, its implementation, and the integration of multiple services that will create a Longitudinal Veteran Record (LVR). The LVR will provide a 360 digital record that will capture a Veteran’s identity, military service history, and demographic and socioeconomic information. Atlas will use industry best practices in data governance, data management, and IT solutions to define key processes and procedures that will help VEO implement and integrate the LVR. Atlas will also define IT requirements, create concepts and logical models, and develop detailed plans for testing the system.

Result

The Atlas Team will help VA continue its work achieving the MyVA 12 Breakthrough Initiatives. The LVR will now provide Veterans the ability to easily update their information and give VA personnel access to the most accurate data available. The LVR will unify IT systems for Veteran information and improve access to services and development of new services based on customer feedback and data analysis. Veterans will need to only update their information one time via phone or online, bettering the customer experience and streamlining data updates for VA personnel. The Atlas Team will apply a set of industry best practices, processes, procedures, and models that will assist the VEO with implementing this large scale change management initiative.