Quality Assurance in Defense Adjudication: Workshop for Defining and Assessing Quality

摘要

The Defense Personnel Security Research Center, p05/05 (PERSEREC) undertook a study to develop a definition of adjudication quality and outline a systematic approach that the Department of Defense (DoD) can adopt to assure the quality of adjudication decisions. Subject matter experts identified adjudication customers, products and services, and customer expectations and defined adjudication quality. A quality adjudication decision is a timely eligibility determination by a qualified adjudicator in accordance with national personnel security program regulations, policies, and procedures. The definition requires that standards and measures be established for timeliness, adjudicator qualifications, and adherence to guidelines. It was recommended that requirements be established in the DoD 5200.2-R for a DoD-wide quality assurance program and in JPAS for uniform reporting of adjudication case information and decision rationale. Further it was recommended that the program be developed and implemented with the participation of constituents with expertise and interest in adjudication. The program has the potential to facilitate reciprocity and trust among parties responsible for clearance eligibility determinations by assuring the quality of DoD adjudication.