The EOA initiative: driving efficiency and modernization

Initially launched in 2018, our Eliminate, Optimize, Automate initiative was created to support the President’s Management Agenda CAP Goal 6: shifting from low-value to high-value work.

What began as a 100-day robotic process automation, or RPA, challenge in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer quickly expanded across the agency. Following its significant success, we adopted the EOA approach agencywide. Since its inception, the EOA team has delivered over 200 solutions, saving an estimated 2.1 million hours and generating $147 million in labor value.

We are expanding this proven efficiency strategy through the governmentwide EOA initiative. The goal is to standardize process improvement, optimization, and automation to drive operational excellence, modernize operations, and enhance service delivery across all federal agencies. This initiative works to eliminate redundant work, streamline mission processes, and increase the use of automation technologies for greater effectiveness and efficiency and supports the President’s Management Agenda goal to leverage technology to deliver faster, more secure services.

EOA offers strategic advisory and implementation support, guiding agencies through identifying opportunities, assessing needs, designing and developing solutions, and deploying and supporting these improvements. Agencies can measure success by key metrics, including:

• Automations delivered
• Processes improved
• Cost savings and avoidance
• Improvements in cycle times and backlogs reduced
• Increases in customer satisfaction

Ultimately, EOA supports the President’s broader goals of modernization, shared services, and innovation, positioning agencies as models of continuous improvement and efficiency in public service.

How we can help 

We help agencies start and scale EOA programs by: 

• Leading and driving EOA: Serving as the central hub for promoting and executing a standardized approach to process improvement, optimization, and automation across the federal government.
• Promoting continuous improvement: Evangelizing EOA and process optimization techniques through workshops, training, and communications.
• Providing support: Offering strategic advisory and implementation support services, like guidance, mentoring, and networking.
• Maintaining the knowledge hub: Serving as the authoritative repository for best practices, case studies, tools, and performance metrics.

How EOA differs from traditional process improvement

Our approach enhances traditional process improvement by emphasizing automation and technology as key drivers for efficiency and modernization. EOA is an evolution of traditional process improvement, incorporating a stronger focus on automation, technology, and data to drive more significant and transformative changes.

 Key differences include: 

• Emphasis on automation: Focuses on identifying automation opportunities using technologies like RPA and AI to reduce manual work and improve scalability.
• Broader scope: Encompasses optimizing existing processes and eliminating unnecessary ones altogether.
• Technology integration: Integrates technology into process design and redesign to fundamentally transform workflows.
• Data-driven decision making: Relies heavily on data analytics to identify improvements, measure the impact of changes, and track key performance indicators, or KPIs, to align with strategic goals.
• Focus on innovation: Encourages exploring emerging technologies and creative solutions.
• Cultural shift: Aims to foster continuous improvement and empower employees to implement process changes. 

Why EOA matters

By embracing EOA principles, agencies can achieve significant benefits across several key areas.

Smarter government operations

This effort directly supports broader governmentwide efforts to modernize, streamline, and eliminate waste. By eliminating redundant or low-value tasks, optimizing workflows, and automating repetitive processes, agencies can be more productive, reduce administrative burdens, and free up resources to focus on core mission activities. This aligns with strategic goals and other key policy directives the President outlined, which are aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the federal government.

Saving taxpayer money

Implementing these initiatives leads to real cost savings for taxpayers. Agencies can spend less by reducing inefficiencies, minimizing manual work, and using resources wisely. Federal agencies can then reinvest these savings in other critical programs and services, ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Better service 

This initiative can significantly improve how citizens experience government services. Faster processing, fewer errors, less paperwork, and user-friendly online platforms make it easier for you to access information and services. Automation allows government employees to focus on achieving results rather than manual tasks. Ultimately, this leads to a government that is efficient and responsive to your needs.