Identifying Contributors to Changes in Attrition
Abstract
The overall attrition rates for the Canadian Forces (CF) were 6.8% in Fiscal Year (FY) 05/06, 8.3% in FY 06/07 and 9.0% in FY 07/08. What caused the difference: a demographic change or an attrition behaviour change? A methodology was developed and an analysis was conducted to answer this question. The first step is to identify the major contributors by quantifying demographic and behaviour effects on the observed change in attrition rate. In order to do this, attrition forecasts need to be calculated. Existing research shows CF attrition is strongly related to members Years of Service (YOS) profile. Attrition forecasts therefore were performed based on a Weighted Average YOS-based attrition forecasting methodology. The second step is a further decomposition process to identify the YOS groups that contribute the most, and quantify the contribution down to each YOS level. Applying the developed techniques on CF attrition revealed that the increased CF attrition rate in FY 07/08 was primarily due to changes in attrition behaviour. The further decomposition of the behaviour effect identified three primary contributing YOS groups, specifically those personnel with 0 YOS (i.e. in their first year of service), 3 YOS and 1 YOS, in the order of their contribution. Thus it was the attrition behaviour changes of those personnel in the early stages of their career that contributed to the rise in the overall attrition rate. Applying the techniques on CF attrition from FY 00/01 to FY 06/07 showed two additional significant changes in CF attrition. These changes were also mostly due to attrition behaviour changes. Further decomposition of the contributions at the YOS level revealed the possible impacts of significant policy/strategy changes, such as salary increases and changes in the personnel selection process. This research provides a quantification of demographic and behaviour impacts on attrition changes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA584333
Entities
People
- Manchun Fang
- Paul Bender
Organizations
- Department of National Defence