DOD Personnel: Documentation of the Army's Civilian Workforce-Planning Model Needed to Enhance Credibility
Highlights
Between fiscal years 1989 and 2002, the Department of Defense (DOD) reduced its civilian workforce by about 38 percent, with little attention to shaping or specifically sizing this workforce for the future. As a result, the civilian workforce is imbalanced in terms of the shape, skills, and experience needed by the department. DOD is taking steps to transform its civilian workforce. To assist with this transformation, the department is considering adopting an Army workforce-planning model, known as the Civilian Forecasting System (CIVFORS), which the Army uses to forecast its civilian workforce needs. Other federal agencies are also considering adopting this model. GAO was asked to review the adequacy of the steps the Army has taken to ensure the credibility of the model.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | To assure the reliability of Army civilian workforce projections, as well as the appropriateness of the model for use DOD-wide and by other federal agencies, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to appropriately document the Army's forecasting capability of the model. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army took actions to document the forecasting capability of its model. Specifically, the Army completed the verification, validation, and accreditation of the civilian workforce-planning model; therefore, documenting the model to enhance its credibility.
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