[IPAC-List] SME issue

[Klus, Thomas M.]

I agree with you, Lance.  This SME problem is only an indication of the
larger problem of getting everyone on the same page.  However, this is a
manageable problem, whereas getting HR and the department on the same
page is much more difficult.  One step at a time!

 

Tom Klus

Management Analyst III

Employment Division

Department of Human Resources

 

From: Lance Seberhagen [mailto:sebe at erols.com] 
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 9:23 AM
To: Klus, Thomas M.
Cc: ipac-list at ipacweb.org
Subject: Re: [IPAC-List] SME issue

 

Maybe the plan is to have the 20 SMEs develop 100 exercise scenarios and
then have a smaller group of 3-5 Exec SMEs develop the final details of
the best 5 exercise scenarios (or whatever the numbers) for use in the
exam.  This approach would preserve security while enhancing quality.
The only problem is that your boss forget to tell you about the plan.
Perhaps your boss didn't know, either.  If so, the Police Dept and the
HR Dept need to get on the same page.  Don't make a difficult task more
difficult than it has to be!

Lance Seberhagen, Ph.D.
Seberhagen & Associates
9021 Trailridge Ct
Vienna, VA 22182
Tel 703-790-0796
www.seberhagen.com 




On 6/24/2011 8:21 AM, Klus, Thomas M. wrote: 

I have an issue that I hope to get some input on from other
practitioners.  To assist in exercise development, pilot testing and
content validation, our police department supplies Subject Matter
Experts from the target rank.  These SME's are paid for their time, and
they receive resume credit in their file for their participation.  The
department assigns a committee chair (from the managerial ranks) to
oversee the SME's, and the chair is allowed a great deal of latitude on
determining how many SME will participate.  That number has been
growing, and now it appears they would like to have up to 20 SME
participate in the current process development.  While I have raised
concerns about the efficiency and the potential for security issues
related to having such a large number of individuals intimately involved
in exercise development, I am getting considerable push back from the
department.    Our department has approximately 1400 sworn positions,
and in the current process, 20 SME's represent about 20% of the
incumbents in the target rank, and it is likely about 30% of the number
of potential applicants we will have in the process. From nearly any
perspective, it seems like an extremely excessive number.   I am
advocating we limit the numbers to 6-8, as in my experience, that is
sufficient.  However, since the top officials are more likely to be
influenced by what other departments do than simple logic and reason, I
would like to ask, what is your target number of SME's to have involved
in your promotional processes?  Any input would be appreciated.
 
 
 
Thomas Klus
 
Management Analyst III, Employment Div.
 
Department of Human Resources
 
Fairfax County Government
 
703-324-5808
 
 
 
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