Retaining a Resilient and Enduring Workforce: Examination of Duty/Position Rotational Assignments for Civilian Acquisition Positions

Abstract

There is a renewed emphasis across the Army to address the readiness of the Army acquisition workforces ability to meet current and future requirements of life-cycle management of the Army weapon system portfolio to meet the needs of the warfighter in a rapidly changing political, technological, operational and fiscal environment. Through the use of interviews with senior Army and acquisition workforce personnel and a survey of civilian government employees across the Army acquisition community, the need for additional broadening experiences for Army civilian acquisition employees is evident. Survey results revealed many potential benefits of rotational assignments, such as broader knowledge and skills in other competency areas; continuous learning; networking; improved stakeholder management and development; expanded professional relationships; broader visibility and application of lessons learned, shared ideas, and best practices; and many other benefits. Survey results also revealed risks and disadvantages that would affect the acquisition community with the implementation of rotational assignments, such as short-term disruption to programs, learning curve issues, additional workload, staffing shortages, lost program momentum, and the potential of having more generalists rather than specialists or experts. As posited in interviews with senior Department of Defense civilian leaders, the workforce needs to be prepared and flexible in order to adapt to the changing requirements, technology, threat, and economic challenges. Findings support a strategic approach to providing broadening experiences for civilian acquisition personnel rather than a policy or mandate that limits flexibility in the application of a rotational assignment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 12, 2015
Accession Number
AD1040569

Entities

People

  • Jennifer Worton

Organizations

  • Defense Acquisition University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Personnel
  • Army Procurement
  • Best Practices
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Employment
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Human Resources
  • Management Personnel
  • Motivation
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Professional Development

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Systems Analysis and Design