Chief Human Capital Officers - 5 Years Ahead or 100 Years Behind?

Friday, June 13, 2008 . 12:01 PM by Brian De Groodt

The Chief Human Capital Officer Council celebrated 5 years of its existence earlier this week.  Is it another example of the government actually being more progressive than many in the private sector?  Or is it council in name and title only and still far behind the times?

I had the pleasure of speaking with a government contractor recently who shared with me his belief that the American government continues to be a laughing stock when it comes to policies and efficiency when compared to the private sector.  I shared some thoughts I had on some fairly progressive Web 2.0 type technology the government has embraced with great success—that the private sector has not—and that when compared to its recruiting practices of 5 years ago, maybe they are making good progress.  Progress to go, no doubt.  But progress still and in fact, leadership in others.

From CHCOC’s web site:

The Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002, enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Pub. L. No. 107-296) on November 25, 2002, required the heads of 24 Executive Departments and agencies to appoint or designate Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs). Each CHCO serves as his or her agency’s chief policy advisor on all human resources management issues and is charged with selecting, developing, training, and managing a high-quality, productive workforce.

The CHCO Act also established a Chief Human Capital Officers Council to advise and coordinate the activities of members’ agencies on such matters as the modernization of human resources systems, improved quality of human resources information, and legislation affecting human resources operations and organizations.

I ask, because I’m truly not certain and don’t deal with government contracts that often, but five years on, has CHCOC made a difference?  Is there better coordination?  Has OPM made the right steps in being able to compete for and retain key talent in our government?  Is there visibility into what critical resources are necessary to maintain strong continuity in our government?  Fire away, I’m interested in knowing what the insiders would say.