PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-719
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 719
OCTOBER 2012
18
PS 719
OCT 12
D
o you have a super solution to a pressing Army problem? Your ideas on supply,
maintenance, transportation, food service or any other aspect of Army logistics are
welcomed and encouraged.
The only cost for you is the time it takes to jot down and submit an idea to the
Army’s Supply and Maintenance Assessment Review Team (SMART). The SMART
team reviews and then assigns your idea to the right agency for evaluation.
Likewise, the Tools Improvement Program Suggestions (TIPS) also invites Army
users to submit tool improvement suggestions directly to SMART for evaluation.
So if your logistics-related suggestion or tool tip can save the Army time, money
or lives, it’s worth sending in. Approved or even partially approved ideas can earn
cash awards.
Winner Went the SMART Route
± MSG±Lathe±Ragels±with±the±
National±Guard’s±HHB±1/147th±
field±artillery±battalion±in±
Watertown,±SD,±was±awarded±
$5,000±for±his±cable±upgrade±
idea±on±the±field±artillery±data±
system±computer.±He±figured±
out±a±connector±redesign±that±
makes±it±possible±to±replace±
expensive,±non-reparable±cables±
with±standard±cables.±The±new±
cable±set-up±is±also±easier±to±
connect.±His±idea±is±now±being±
implemented±Army-wide.
General SMART Tips and Guidelines
The best SMART suggestions often solve everyday problems. They include
solutions that Fx issues requiring extra man-hours to repair and alternatives to items
or components that are expensive and/or impossible to Fx.
You won’t have to look far to Fnd problems that need solving—they’re everywhere.
The real issue is that many of us are in the habit of just coping with a recurring
problem. But odds are that if one Soldier is having a problem with supply, equipment
or maintenance procedures, so are others! Now’s the time to share your solution.
When you submit your SMART idea, include the following:
• Problem title (your choice)
• NSN (end item NSN)
• End item information (what is the end item?)
• References (TM, part numbers, etc.)
• Current procedure (and the problem with it). Please include parts/NSNs, if applicable.
• Recommendation (your suggested fix for the problem with the current procedure). Be
as specific as possible. Include any cost savings estimates that might be realized with
your solution.
• You may attach files to your suggestion that contain pictures, sketches, charts, etc., to
better illustrate your suggestion. The total file size should not exceed 5 MB.
Download the SMART handbook online and use it to help prepare your submission.
Visit the SMART website to submit your suggestion:
After you submit your suggestion to SMART, you can:
• track its status on the website.
• receive email updates during the SMART evaluation process.
• resubmit a rejected suggestion within 60 days, if the original evaluation did not take
essential information into consideration.
If you have questions, visit the website or contact the SMART team at DSN 687-
0595/0485, (804) 734-0595/(804) 734-0485, or email:
christopher.s.cigal.civ@mail.mil
or
kim.a.powers2.civ@mail.mil
MSG±Ragels’±cable±
redesign±made±the±
cable±replaceable±and±
easier±to±connect
SMART
What to Do With a
SMART
Idea
woo-
hoo!
Hey, what’s
all the flap,
jack?
Remember, I
almost didn’t
bother sending it in.
Sure glad I did!
I just found
out my SMART
suggestion is
a
winner.
Congrats, buddy.
Now please show
me how to submit an
idea. I have a few
of my own…
Awesome!
719 18-19.indd
1-2
8/27/12
12:58 PM
Click here for a copy of this article to save or email.
Back to TopBack to Top
