Maps Reports

The Maps Report generates a map of the United States, showing the boundaries of VA regions, either VHA VISNs, VBA Areas, or NCA MSNs (but not Stations or Duty Stations). These regions are color coded to show the percent representation of a single demographic variable you select: the darker the color, the higher the proportion, even if printed in black and white. Click here to see a sample Maps Report showing the proportion of disabled veterans on staff in VHA VISNs.

Text on the map shows the region number in large font and the exact numeric proportion in small font. Variables currently available are proportions by RNO/gender, disabilities, veterans, age, and retirement eligibility. Within these variables, you can also specify the usual parameters of occupation, pay plan, grade, appointment type, duty base, and cost center.

The machine identifies the high and low values of the selected variable, and divides that range into increments. Depending on how the data clusters, some of the increments may not be used on the map. The map is generated very quickly, usually about 20 seconds, and is then immediately sent to you by e-mail as an Adobe file.

This visual approach makes the geographic differences easier to grasp, and brings out issues that may have escaped notice if the data were in tabular format. It is useful in identifying age and retirement eligibility patterns for succession planning, representation in the leadership pipeline, age patterns in SES, success in hiring disabled vets and other persons with targeted disabilities, representation in specific occupations, and many other HR, diversity and complaints issues.

The RNO/gender maps can be compared to the maps of 2000 Census data at: http://factfinder.census.gov/. Click here for instructions. Much of the variation in representation by region is simply a reflection of the population that lives in the States covered by that region. Comparing the VSSC and Census maps is useful for identifying which regions have higher or lower representation than the general population within them, and where targeted recruitment is likely to be most productive.