New Defense personnel system frees managers

By Brittany Ballenstedt bballenstedt@govexec.com January 3, 2008

In the 2004 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress gave the Defense Department authority to design an implement a system governing how more the Defense civilian employees are hired, paid, promoted, and disciplined.

With a focus on flexibility, the National Security Personnel System enables the department to link pay raises more closely to performance and to move employees between jobs without competition and with minimal paperwork.

Brittany Ballenstedt examines the effect NSPS has had on the department in a feature story in the Jan. 1, 2008, issue of Government Executive.

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COMMENTS

  • "Has anyone currently under NSPS been forced to use prewritten objectives for a group of folks instead of individual objectives?" Yes, all professionals (engineers, biologists, archeologists, etc.) received identical objectives. When questioned management said this was necessary to ensure "fairness". Why do I not get a warm and fuzzy from this answer? Glenn Posted March 12, 2008 4:07 PM
  • Has anyone currently under NSPS been forced to use prewritten objectives for a group of folks instead of individual objectives? kkb Posted February 11, 2008 8:43 AM
  • Dear Brittany, I will not address NSPS for all its myriad faults, for many have covered those before me. I WILL agree with them. But what I must ask is of you. I've read many different articles by you in the past and, in general, thought them well researched and written. My question is "What happened here?" I know from corresponding with your editor that you (GovExec) keep excellent stats on responses. I find it hard to believe that you failed to do some basic research easily available to you from within your own organization on our opinions on NSPS. I must agree with "old reporter", there is little cross examination within this piece. It appears written as the News Brief fluff handed out at the beginning of a government telecom event. Other than that, I figure the only folks agreeing with you on this piece are the few (3%?) who have personally benefited and those who are clueless like the infamous curmudgeon, Mr. Dan Ketter. Please make an effort in the future for a more balanced article, particularly on a topic as HOT as this ... POS. Tip off Posted January 23, 2008 1:18 PM
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