NASA Diversity and Inclusion Framework: The Role of IT

Brenda R. Manuel

Associate Administrator for Diversity

and Equal Opportunity

August 15, 2011

https://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneOverviewByDevice&deviceCategoryId=12

Personality

InternalRace

Age

Gender

Ethnicity

Physical &MentalAbility

Sexual Orientation

Appearance

External

Work experience & style Educational

Background

Religion

Recreational Habits

Language/ Accent

Relationship/MaritalStatus

Income

GeographicLocation

Family/Parental Status

Organizational

Functional level/Classification

Work Content/ Field

ManagementStatus

UnionAffiliation

WorkLocation Seniority

Division/DepartmentUnit/Group

Diversity Wheel

Source: Internal & external dimensions adapted from Marilyn Loden & Judy Rosener, Workforce America 1991

Traditionalist pre-1946

Baby Boomers 1946 - 1964

Gen X

1965 - 1980

Millennial’s 1981 - 1999

Military

Progression of Diversity vs. Progression of IT Development/Evolution

?1960s: Civil Rights Enforcement

1970s: Affirmative Employment for EEO Groups

1980s: Multi-Culturalism

1990s: Diversity Management

2000s-: The Business Case: Redefining Diversity and Inclusion

?1950s – 1960s: Mainframe Computers

70s and 80s:

The wired

PC

90s – 2000s:

The Wireless

PC

Tablet/ Smart-phone/ Mobile devices – Wireless and software free

Cloud Computing –

all data and applications stored remotely

How NASA Defines Diversity:

Diversity is the similarities and differences in the individual and organizational characteristics that shape our workplace.

NASA Tech Diversity

Macs33%

PCs67%

NASA Desktop Computers

NASA iPhones NASA iPads NASA Black Berries0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

3358

794

4997NASA Mobile Devices

Geographical Diversity (Location of NASA Centers)

10%

18%39%

35%

NASA Workforce Diversity

Men: 65% Women: 35%

20’s: 8%

30’s: 14%

40’s: 33%

50’s: 34%

60’s: 10%

70’s +: 1%

Age

Gender

White: 74%

Black: 12%

Hispanic: 6%

Asian/Pacific Is.: 6%

Native American: 1%

Multiracial: 1%

Race

Diversity of the IT Community:Demographics

White Black Hispanic Asian or Pacific Is.

Native American

Multiracial

71% 16% 5% 6% 1% 1%

Under 20 20's 30's 40's 50's 60's 70 or older

0% 4% 14% 35% 37% 10% 0%

Women: 46%

Men: 54%

Race:

Age:

Scientists and Engineers: 62%

Professional Administration: 29%

Clerical: 4%

Technicians: 6%

Includes 99% of IT

NASA Occupational Diversity

How NASA Defines Inclusion:

is the means by which we optimize the benefits to mission inherent in our diversity, for example, the policies, procedures, and practices that an organization puts in place to create more inclusive work environments.

Inclusion

The Business Case: Why are Diversity and Inclusion beneficial to NASA?

The research literature on Diversity and Inclusion identifies factors that contribute to a competitive advantage.

1. Better technical solutions and problem solving,

2. Stronger critical analysis,

3. Greater innovation and creativity,

4. Deeper understanding of and greater effectiveness in organizational communication patterns,

5. Higher levels of employee engagement, and

6. Cultural shift toward valuing fairness and respect for individual contributions,

www.InnoCentive.com

The Business Case: Innovation in Problem Solving

• Ability to fully leverage innovation and creativity

The Business Case

D&I impact on profit is key in the private sector

Mar-97 Mar-98 Mar-99 Mar-00 Mar-01 Mar-02 Mar-03 Mar-04 Mar-05 Mar-06 Mar-07

NASDAQ

DJIA

S&P 500

DiversityInc Top 50

NASA Administrator as Diversity Champion

Diversity & Inclusion Partnership

Diversity & Inclusion Survey

Agency Diversity & Inclusion Plan

Diversity & Inclusion Foundation at NASA

The Business Case: Recent NASA D&I Survey Responses

A2. At NASA, diversity seems to be mostly about physical characteris-tics of people (R)

A9. Diversity and inclusion lead to innovative ideas at NASA

A7. Having employees with diverse backgrounds is a source of business advantage at NASA

41

68

75

21

24

18

38

8

7

Positive Neutral Negative

Understanding Diversity and Its Benefits

The Role of the IT Community: The Framework Principles

• Demonstrated Leadership Commitment

Your IT Leadership is a key partner in this effort.

The Role of the IT Community: The Framework PrinciplesEmployee Engagement and Effective

Communication• Establish an Agency-wide system for communicating

information to employees to effectively disseminate critical information

• Utilization of traditional as well as innovative media.

D&I Survey Responses: Low Awareness of Diversity and Inclusion

D1. The NASA Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity website

D2. Your Center’s Office of Diversity website and/or Your Center’s Equal Opportunity website

D3. The NASA Diversity and Inclusion Policy

D4. The NASA policy statement on anti-harassment in the workplace

18

19

19

42

15

15

42

42

41

42

28

12

26

24

11

3

Very familiar Somewhat familiar Aware but not familiar Not at all familiar

Awareness of NASA policies and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion

The Role of the IT Community: The Framework Principles

D&I Education and Awareness

• Establish a suite of managerial and employee training and development tools, particularly informal education and awareness utilizing innovative media.

The Role of the IT Community: The Framework Principles

Commitment to Community Partnerships

• Assist in the creation of a high-tech clearinghouse for resources, best practices and sharing of ideas that link the Agency’s many outreach programs.

Q & A