Human Capital: Implementing an Effective Workforce Strategy Would Help EPA to Achieve Its Strategic Goals

EPA's November 2000 human capital strategy is a promising first step
towards improving the agency's management of its workforce. However, it
lacks some of the key elements that are commonly found in the human
capital strategies of high-performing organizations. EPA's strategy
identifies the agency's vision, core values, and six major human capital
objectives for the next 2 years; discusses implementation actions for
achieving its human capital objectives; and identifies the EPA units
responsible for carrying out the actions. Despite these positive features,
the strategy does not (1) explain how achieving its human capital
objectives will improve the agency's performance in meeting its strategic
goals for protecting the environment, (2) identify the resources needed
and the specific milestones for implementing the human capital objectives,
or (3) provide results-oriented (outcome) measures that track the agency's
progress and evaluate its success in achieving these objectives. Filling
these gaps in its strategy would allow EPA to better ensure the most
effective use of its workforce. This report recommends that the
Administrator, EPA, link the agency's human capital strategy to the
fulfillment of EPA's strategic goals, identify the milestones and resources
needed to implement the strategy, and establish results-oriented
performance measures for human capital objectives.