Team Edwards to participate in CheckMATE Program

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EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As part of Air Force Materiel Command initiative to strengthen workforce engagement, more than 3,500 members of Team Edwards will have the opportunity to participate in AFMC's CheckMATE (Mission Accomplishment through Engagement) program.

AFMC teamed up with Gallup, a research group, and developed a set of 12 questions to measure the level of workforce engagement. Gallup research studies show that work units identified as highly engaged are apt to display a corresponding high success rate in performance outcomes and display significantly higher success rates in other measures of performance. The survey includes questions about expectations, opportunities, recognition, strengths, development, job importance, and commitment.

CheckMATE is an opportunity for employees to have a voice about what needs to happen in their workgroups to improve engagement and strengthen their teamwork. Participants take the survey, called the Q12. Employees see the results and discuss in their workgroups what areas they want to improve. These workgroups develop a plan and monitor progress throughout the year. At the end of the year, they are invited to take another Q12 survey to see how they did.

Maj. Gen. David Eichhorn, Air Force Flight Test Center commander, expressed his support of the CheckMATE program because of the positive organizational impact it can have for the Air Force Flight Test Center.

"We are a data-driven organization and as many Fortune 500 companies have found, the data from this survey can be used to improve the welfare and motivation of the workforce," he said. "This will ultimately enhance our ability to do the mission and our credibility within the acquisition community."

"This program focuses on looking at the emotional and psychological attachment people have for their work and work group", says Greg McCutcheon, AFFTC Organizational Consulting Office. It also addresses the issues that enhance or detract from employee engagement to include both positive and negative factors.

Gallup will send an e-mail to each participant Oct. 26, people who receive the e-mail from Gallup should not delete it. The survey takes just three minutes to complete.


"The CheckMATE program is important because it works toward developing positive attitudes and bring a renewed enthusiasm to the workplace as well as motivation to get the job done. The goal is to have each of you look forward to your work every day and have a passion and the commitment for your work," said Susan Love, AFFTC Organizational Consulting Office director.

The survey period is from Oct. 26 through Nov. 6. Last year's participation rate was more than 80 percent, this year's goal is to meet or surpass that. This year's participating organizations include: AFFTC Command and Staff, 95th Mission Support Group, 95th Air Base Wing/IP, 95th Civil Engineer and Transportation Doctorate, 412th Electronic Warfare Group, 412th Test Engine Group, 412th Maintenance Group, the Global Vigilance Combine Test Force, and the USAF Test Pilot School.

For more information, call 275-9006.