DoD Aims to have New Employee Rating System in Full Swing by October 2018

Performance management is an area in which everyone in all stages of their profession can relate. Whether you are just starting a new, exciting career or have been working in Federal workspaces for decades, everyone longs to be recognized for their hard work and contributions. The DoD clearly recognizes the importance of making sure all employees receive proper recognition for their accomplishments. That is why they are introducing the Defense Performance Management and Appraisal Program, which will gradually be rolled out over the next several years.

As cited in a Pentagon memorandum, "This program will link individual performance to Department of Defense values and organizational mission; will ensure ongoing recognition and communication between employees and supervisors throughout the appraisal cycle; and will be critical to effective mission accomplishment and increased employee engagement." Clearly DoD is making performance management a priority for years to come.

The program will begin with a small scale, limited-scope approach to rating Federal employees, mostly in the National Capital Region (NCR). However, by October 2018, DoD hopes to have this system implemented for all of the nearly 750,000 civilian personnel. Given the scale and scope, implementing the Defense Performance Management and Appraisal Program will surely be a huge undertaking. However, we all can agree that comprehensive performance management is something that will greatly benefit the Department as a whole.

For more information on this program and how it may impact you, please click here.