Date of Conferral

5-13-2024

Date of Award

5-13-2024

Degree

Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Julian Muhammad

Abstract

The Candidate Development Program (CDP) is responsible for the training, development, and succession planning of government senior executive service (SES) members. While not all SES must go through this program, the CDP initiative is operational in 10 out of 24 federal agencies governed by the Chief Financial Officer Act. In this quantitative study, the client organization wanted to know the strategies a government agency may use to increase executive-level employee development to prepare them for executive appointments. In the current study, a self-administered web-based survey was distributed to CDP Current Trainees, CDP Graduates, and CDP Agency Representatives. The findings led to five recommendations: Implementing an Anonymous Trainee Debriefing Tool, an Individual Development Plan Evaluation Tool, a Mandatory Constructive Feedback Process, Self-awareness Assessment, and Informal Trainee/Graduate Cohort Development. Individuals appointed to SES are placed in high visibility roles with significant responsibilities, and the client organization must ensure those entering the program, graduating, and being appointed into senior executive roles are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to lead federal divisions and agencies efficiently, thereby enhancing positive social change through operations of government agencies for public benefit.

Download

Share

 
COinS