Defense Senior Leader Development Program Evaluation

The Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP) is designed to prepare high performing GS 14 and 15 (and equivalent) civilian leaders to address complex policy and operational challenges faced by DoD leaders in today’s national security arena. Admission to this 2-year intensive development program is based on a competitive selection process. Since the program’s inception, HumRRO has conducted a comprehensive DSLDP program evaluation that links program objectives, metrics indicating program success, and key evaluation questions.

HumRRO’s evaluation entails a number of data collection and analysis activities, including workforce analyses; surveys and interviews of participants, supervisors, and stakeholders; the development and implementation of critical incidents-based and multi-rater assessments to track participant progress throughout the program; and longer-term analyses to track graduates’ career progress. In the process, we are evaluating cutting edge leader development methods, including portfolio assessments and action learning.