**GAO-09-464T**                      Published: Apr 01, 2009. Publicly Released: Apr 01, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

The Department of Defense (DOD) is in the process of implementing its new human capital system for managing civilian personnel--the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Key components of NSPS include compensation, classification, and performance management. Implementation of NSPS could have far-reaching implications, not just for DOD, but for civil service reform across the federal government. As of February 2009, about 205,000 civilian employees were under NSPS. Based on GAO's prior work reviewing performance management in the public sector, GAO developed an initial list of safeguards that NSPS should include to ensure it is fair, effective, and credible. In 2008, Congress directed GAO to evaluate, among other things, the extent DOD implemented accountability mechanisms, including those in 5 U.S.C. section 9902(b)(7) and other internal safeguards in NSPS. This statement is based on GAO's September 2008 report, which determined (1) the extent to which DOD has implemented internal safeguards to ensure NSPS was fair, effective, and credible; and (2) how DOD civilians perceive NSPS and what actions DOD has taken to address these perceptions. For that report, GAO analyzed relevant documents and employee survey results; interviewed appropriate officials; and conducted discussion groups at 12 selected installations. GAO recommended ways to better address the safeguards and employee perceptions.

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## Topics

Human Capital

Agency missionsCivilian employeesEmployee trainingEmployeesHuman capitalHuman capital managementHuman capital planningHuman capital policiesInternal controlsNational security personnel systemPay for performancePerformance appraisalPerformance managementPerformance measuresProgram managementSafeguardsStrategic planningSystems designSystems evaluationSystems integrationSystems monitoringProgram implementation