GAO Sees Much Still to Be Done

Also, at the hearing, Comptroller General David Walker, whose views count heavily in civil service reform debates, emphasized the extent to which the details of the DHS system, especially regarding the compensation system, remain unknown even under the finalized rules. “DHS has considerable work ahead to define the details of the implementation of its system and understanding these details is important in assessing the overall system,” he said. He said that while “many of the basic principles underlying the DHS regulations are generally consistent with proven approaches to strategic human capital management,” it needs to continue working on issues such as how to link organizational goals to individual performance measures, making meaningful distinctions in employee performance and setting adequate safeguards to ensure fairness and guard against abuse.