File:Measuring the foundation of Homeland Security (IA measuringfoundat109453631).pdf

This thesis provides a self-assessment tool to compel discussion concerning Homeland Security teamwork. Building on the research of others who have focused on collaboration and teamwork as essential for Homeland Security, it is proclaimed that teamwork is the foundation on which Homeland Security capabilities must be built. The purpose of this thesis is to define the components of teamwork amongst the local multidiscipline organizations with a common Homeland Security mission, provide statements for each of the components, and then enter the components into a metric that can be useful in measuring teamwork. The results of the research yielded five components of teamwork and that leadership is the key to implementation. Focus groups of local Homeland Security professionals were used to authenticate the research findings. Three statements were developed from the research and focus groups to measure each of the five components of teamwork. A focus group from Seattle Homeland Security reviewed and revised the final teamwork metric to assure its usefulness for Homeland Security organizations. It is recommended that standard methodologies be used to establish actual validity and reliability of the teamwork metric. Finally, a discussion on the interrelation between teamwork, organizational change and leadership is provided.