Better Management through Personnel System Reform: Has the Civil Service Reform Act Helped

摘要

The purpose of the project was to monitor and evaluate the Effectiveness of the Civil Service Reform Act (CSRA) within the Department of Health and Human Services. The study included mail questionnaire surveys of members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) for three years, case studies of selected agencies to determine the impact of the CSRA on agency management and performance, in-depth interviews with selected SES members and representatives of top management, and analysis of data provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Personnel Administration. The study found that the mechanisms outlined in the Act (such as the new performance management system and bonus awards) were in place and operating. It also identified examples of creative uses of these new personnel tools. The study further concluded, however, that additional changes would depend on the commitment of top management to continued innovation and use of the system.