OPM Pilot Program Aims to Improve Applicant Experience for Retirement Systems

In a recent interview on Federal Monthly Insights, Catherine Manfre, the chief transformation officer at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), discussed the organization’s pilot program to improve the applicant experience for its retirement systems. The goal of the pilot is to transition to a digital application process, moving away from paper documents and making the retirement process more seamless and user-friendly for both future annuitants and agencies.

Manfre emphasized the importance of putting people first in this transformation, focusing on delivering technology that is not only great but also usable and functional. OPM is gathering both quantitative and qualitative data to gain insights into what is working well and where improvements can be made. External dashboards are being used to help collect high-quality data and allow for real-time decision-making about the workforce.

Data quality is crucial, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) applications. OPM is actively recruiting AI talent into government and working on creating position descriptions, libraries, and playbooks to facilitate the recruitment process. The organization is also focused on ensuring responsible use cases of AI through proper governance and processes.

Tracking early career talent at OPM is a top priority, with a focus on recruiting talent from across the country. The organization has updated its Pathways regulations to make it easier for agencies to convert interns into full-time hires and has initiatives to improve the intern experience and support apprenticeships for individuals without traditional college degrees.

Overall, OPM is dedicated to improving the applicant experience for its retirement systems and recruiting top talent into government service. By prioritizing people and data quality, the organization is working towards a more efficient and effective workforce for the future.