The Procurement Centralized Workflow Dashboard Portal - AKA Your Online Database Application (YODA)

2012 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Montgomery County, Md., MD

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Many county governments today seek to build stronger community relationships through transparency and accountability. The Department of General Services Division of Procurement in Montgomery County is mandated to maintain a centralized system of purchasing and contracting and must communicate and track contract information for internal and external customers. A protocol was needed to eliminate data/process duplication that was plaguing Procurement legacy architecture resulting in poor performance management, operational inefficiency, missed contract milestones, and lengthy procurement cycle times. Creation of the online data application program has ensured effective and professional service delivery of specific procurement functions by integrating workflow analysis throughout the organization processes. Key contract management indicators are set in pre-defined modules that align real time dynamic reporting data with contract deadlines, policies and directives. This program not only increased transpareny, but it also provided an online environment for individuals to access information, increasing accessibility. YODA provides the Office of Procurement with an on-line tool to expedite the efficient, effective, and professional delivery of specific Procurement functions and services. The application was developed in a highly collaborative manner with Procurement’s Technical and Operations staff responsible for different components of the system while leveraging existing resources for development, thereby eliminating the need for any incremental investment or funding. YODA was developed and is maintained in-house at no cost and was fully implemented in 12 months.