Human Capital: Major Human Capital Challenges at the Departments of Defense and State
Abstract
The human capital issues facing the Department of Defense and the Department of State are not fundamentally different from those facing other federal agencies today. In the wake of extensive downsizing over the last decade, agency workforces are experiencing significant imbalances in terms of shape, skills, and retirement eligibility, with the likelihood of a huge loss of personnel to retirement over the next few years and a resulting decline in the ability to accomplish agency missions. Yet, until recently, there has been very little action taken to address this problem. While both the Department of Defense and the Department of State are beginning to address their human capital issues, each has a considerable way to go. Our review of their most recent performance reports and performance plans identified several areas where additional efforts are needed, Although the specific problem in each agency are somewhat different, they all have a common origin the lack of an overall strategic approach to the management of the workforce. Agencies must step up their efforts to identify current and future workforce needs, assess where they are relative to those needs, and develop strategies for addressing any related gaps. Such efforts should address workforce shape, skills, knowledge, and succession planning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 29, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA388147
Entities
People
- Henry L. Hinton Jr.
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office