Editor’s note: In 2015, the Workforce One Rewrite project won a NASCiO award. Workforce One 6.0 added functionality to the current system.

The Workforce One (WF1) 6.0 Implementation added case management functionality for Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and State Services for the Blind (SSB) to the current system. With this implementation, all work programs associated with the Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Department of Human Services MFIP and SNAP programs integrate into one cohesive case management system. The team excelled in their efforts, launching on time and under the estimated budget.

Now, all programs can scan and upload documents into the system, moving toward paperless case management. Since implementation on June 27, 2017, system users have uploaded over 22,000 documents for the consumers of the 17 distinct programs represented in WF1 6.0. This implementation also interfaces with the state’s SWIFT system so VRS, SSB and Trade Adjustment staff can initiate consumer purchases and payments within WF1 6.0.

The Workforce One 6.0 implementation team used the Agile/Scrum method to plan and implement project requirements. They worked very closely with DEED Product Owner Annie Tietema, and program management representatives from VRS, SSB, DHS and ETP to clearly establish support, high level requirements, timelines and budget constraints. This key group worked diligently to assure up front project funding and on-going enhancement/maintenance deliverables and budget.

The Workforce One 6.0 implementation team worked closely with program and field staff to understand and implement user requirements to both enhance usability and accessibility of the system. Accessibility was a key deliverable for the system and SSB and VRS were integral in assisting with UAT and accessibility testing.

The WF1 Team demonstrated accomplishments from each sprint to system users and made adjustments based on users’ feedback. A sandbox environment was updated after each sprint to allow users to experiment with new features. User Acceptance Testing and training on the system provided additional in-depth feedback and user understanding before the system launched.

Testimonials from our business partners:

Nothing but positive feedback from my team regarding WF1. To quote Wonder Woman “You should be very proud of this achievement!”.
--Eric Wittbrodt Rehabilitation Area Manager

A big thank-you is in order for WF1. You guys really thought it through and made it accessible, relatively simple, and workable. I know how hard you worked on it and it shows.
--Catherine Golding, VR Counselor

..thank you all so much for your work on the project! I hear that's it's been a journey to get to this moment. You all should be proud. Just like any new technology it will take time for people to get comfy and yes there will be kinks. But I know the team will work it out. I must say I'm extremely excited about the Talent Pool search capabilities. Sounds like it will not only be a good tool for grantees but overall work between the workforce areas and business development area.
--Shawntera Hardy, DEED Commissioner

..It was very exciting to come in today and log into the new system that you have worked so hard on! Thank you for everything you have done the past two years to make this a reality, it is actually almost surreal that it is finally here. I look forward to our continuing work together over the next months and years and am grateful that we are at this point and able to meet our WIOA obligations and have a more user friendly system for staff.
--Carol N. Pankow Director, State Services for the Blind