U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

Career Patterns Guide

• Introduction
• Dimensions
• Scenarios
• Analytic Tool
• Building Work Environments
• Resources and Tools
  • HCAAF Resource Center
  • Workforce Planning
  • USAJOBS and Studentjobs.gov
  • Writing Effective Vacancy Notice
  • Flexibilities and Authorities
  • Telework Resources
• References

Resources and Tools: The HCAAF Resource Center

The Human Capital Assessment and Accountability Framework (HCAAF) Resource Center is a comprehensive collection of strategies, tools, and methods for agencies to use as they plan, implement, and evaluate strategic human capital management. The Resource Center provides an electronic Practitioners Guide based on the HCAAF, a road map for human capital transformation. The HCAAF evolved from a set of Human Capital standards, issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in 2002, which were developed through a collaborative effort among OPM, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The HCAAF establishes and defines five human capital systems that together provide a single, consistent definition of human capital management for the Federal Government. The Resource Center is found at http://www.opm.gov/hcaaf_resource_center/.

The HCAAF Resource Center and its embedded Practitioners Guide is intended to accelerate Governmentwide efforts to support agency mission results with strong human capital strategies. When used as a comprehensive standard for human capital results, human resources (HR) programs, and merit system compliance, the Guide serves as the basis for agency strategic human capital management accountability systems that meet OPM requirements.

The HCAAF's Talent Management System provides comprehensive information about how to address the gaps and deficiencies in the skills, knowledge, and competencies of employees in mission-critical occupations in the current and future workforces. The agency's strategic human capital plan - and its workforce plans - drive recruitment activities that are encompassed in the Career Patterns approach.