A Pathway to Pathways

With the results for the 2011 PMF program being released any day now, I thought this would be a good opportunity to start this discussion…

When I attended the “PMF and Pathways Programs: Reinventing the Old and Implementing the New” discussion at NAPA’s headquarters a few weeks ago, this is how they introduced the session: the purpose of this and subsequent councils is to establish a clear “pathway to the Pathways Program.” Direction-that’s always good. John Berry, the director or OPM quickly followed up by saying, “Our recruitment and hiring program was broken.” He, or course, was talking about the FCIP.

I found both of these statements, as well as others from the day, very thought-provoking. Not only does it establish a very clear directive that changes need to and will be made, but I feel it leaves the door wide open for collaboration and input from just about anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of those changes.

So this got me thinking: how can we (as a GovLoop community) help to fix this problem? We have a unique space for problem solving various issues/problems and collaborating across the various levels of government. Would we be able to come up with some real solutions to eventually offer OPM and other contributing organizations?

I, of course, say yes.

So here’s my idea. I’ve done a bit of brainstorming, and I have come up with 5 Key Issues that I believe are essential to the new Pathways Program (not necessarily in order of importance):

1. Retainment

2. Equality

3. Timing

4. Metrics

5. Accountability

Over the next couple of weeks or so I’ll be rolling out a new post on each of these individual topics and I would love to get your constructive feedback/comments on them. I know this can be somewhat of a sensitive subject for some, but whether you loved or hated the FCIP, the time for complaining or pining over the old ways is over. It’s time to move forward, learn from the mistakes, build on the good, and make Pathways better than what we had before for everyone.I know there are many out there who have great ideas, so put your thinking caps on and imagine you’re in the room Mr. Berry and Rob Shriver (the author of the eventual regulation):

What do you think are the key issues that need to be addressed in the new Pathways program and what are your proposed solutions?

Don’t forget to look for future posts on this subject, and, if you haven’t already, take the time to orient yourself with the original executive order that came out back in December of 2010.