About 500 Newport News Shipbuilding employees filled a Hampton Roads Convention Center ballroom April 10 for an M3 Town Hall meeting hosted by NNS President Jennifer Boykin. Following a “Get Real, Get Better” theme, the meeting provided manager 3-level employees from across the shipyard with a baseline understanding of current performance challenges.

Leaders also discussed ways to drive improvement in their respective work areas and help shape the shipyard’s culture of continuous improvement, and learned about how the Virginia-Class Submarine Program is experiencing performance improvements with the deployment of the Construction Operating System. A presentation also highlighted the Chief Transformation Office that dedicates resources to help NNS accelerate performance improvements.

“Although there are challenges, NNS has gained so much positive momentum in several key areas,” said Mat Sullivan, manager of Production Planning and Scheduling. “I appreciated hearing about advancements in our capabilities, which will help NNS, our shareholders and our employees succeed. The town hall was an engaging discussion and extremely beneficial for the ‘critical middle’ management of the company. Unlocking the power of middle management is key to meeting our company’s commitments.”

Prior to the meeting, attendees participated in an Occupational Health Index (OHI) Survey, administered by McKinsey & Company, that focuses on NNS’ leadership practices and culture. The results were shared and helped drive much of the discussion.

To ensure all levels of the business have a voice in shaping NNS’ leadership culture, McKinsey & Company randomly selected additional shipbuilders to participate in the survey. Selected shipbuilders who have email access at their job sites were notified by email. Employees without company computer access will be notified by their supervisors to take the voluntary survey at a specific site location on a specific date and time by April 28. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete and all responses are treated as confidential. A charge number is provided.

“Employee feedback is critical to our success,” Boykin said. “It will have a direct influence on our ability to establish clarity, build capability and create a culture that helps us be the best we can be.”