OPM's Workforce Planning and Analysis Prototype System was recognized because it provided access to databases from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of the Census, the Department of Education and OPM. The data were stored in one centralized location and could be easily combined and manipulated to study workforce trends. OPM demonstrated the prototype system to several Federal agencies from June to September 2000. The information sharing sessions served as a first step toward the development of the final version of the Workforce Planning and Analysis System.

"We are truly honored that our prototype system was recognized by the Computerworld Honors Program," said OPM Acting Director, Steven R. Cohen. "The effective use of technology can be of tremendous value to workforce planning, and OPM is committed to providing the tools that will help all Federal agencies identify and address their workforce needs."

The Workforce Planning and Analysis Prototype System is based on the Federal Workforce Planning Model. This five-step model can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.opm.gov/workforceplanning OPM is currently partnering with several agencies to write the requirements for the final version of the Workforce Planning and Analysis System.

Established in 1988, the Computerworld Honors Program brings the leaders of the world's one hundred foremost information technology companies together to help the world's leading universities, libraries and research institutions document the global information technology revolution. This year, the Computerworld Honors Program recognized 310 individuals and organizations from six continents.

Another section, "Projections," explains how future retirements are predicted using retirement data from the 1990s. Other sections in Retirement Statistics include "Highlights and Trends" and "Frequently Asked Questions." In combination, these features can help agencies structure their strategic planning activities accordingly.

Computerworld's case study of OPM and over 3000 other case studies from 46 countries and six continents are available on the official Computerworld Honors Program website at http://www.cwheroes.org.