FEMA"s Financial Systems Modernization (FSM) Robotics Process Automation (RPA)

Automate business processes with the RPA software. This has gained lots of momentum in the federal financial space. We want to automate other processes on our existing system as we continue to plan the FSM activities. As we implement FSM, we would want to incorporate RPA.

To meet financial management requirements and optimize resources and results, the FEMA FSM PMO is coordinating with the DHS FSM Executive Steering Committee (ESC), the DHS-FEMA FSM Solution ESC, the DHS FSM Joint Program Management Office (JPMO), FEMA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) to modernize FEMA’s financial management environment. The new environment will deliver functionality currently provided by FEMA’s legacy financial and mixed-use systems, including: the Web Integrated Financial Management Information System (WebIFMIS); Acquisition Package (ACCPAC); Enterprise Coordination and Approval Process System (eCAPS); Disaster Financial Support Capability (DFSC); the Payment and Reporting System (PARS); and the Procurement Request Information System Management (PRISM). It is anticipated that the FSM program will replace these legacy systems with a modern financial system and improved business processes that satisfy FEMA’s mission needs and requirements and are consistent with DHS FSM JPMO requirements and the enterprise-wide Financial Management Systems Standard (FMSS) Business Process Taxonomy.

The FSM effort will provide an integrated finance, procurement and asset management system that enhances FEMA’s ability to accurately capture, aggregate, and report on financial, procurement and asset data. The integrated financial system will interface to FEMA mission-related systems including but not limited to the Grants Management Modernization (GMM) FEMA Grants Outcomes (FEMA GO) system; the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Pivot system; and the Sunflower Asset Management System (SAMS). The future Financial Management System (FMS) must allow for a sound financial, procurement and asset management baseline; enable enhanced support of DHS and FEMA strategic goals and mission needs; support future standardized, integrated and consolidated portfolio management capabilities; and achieve compliance with Federal and DHS standards and guidelines.

The FEMA FSM PMO is exploring methods to incrementally improve financial business processes through the use of emerging technology. Automating high-volume routines and processes facilitates more predictable results, increases efficiency, and allows staff to focus attention on more complex tasks. These incremental improvements also help to prepare stakeholders for larger modernization changes.

DHS established the FSM JPMO with the goals of improving program management, governance, and oversight. The DHS approach relies on strong involvement and representation from Components to help manage the programs, capture and apply lessons learned, and facilitate knowledge sharing. The DHS FSM JPMO provides program management and leads the acquisition tasks and governance of all DHS FSM programs and projects. The FEMA FSM PMO is a subordinate PMO to the JPMO and provides program management for FEMA FSM planning and pre-development activities.