LABORATORIES FOR CHANGE - LESSONS FROM 15 YEARS OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

Personnel demonstration projects in the federal government were first authorized by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Several projects h ave been conducted in the past 15 years. The author draws a number of lessons from this experience, including how to select ideas to test, f actors to consider in developing a project plan and an appropriate eva luation strategy, and how to conclude projects successfully. He also u ses that experience to identify qualities in individuals and organizat ions that support successful innovations, and concludes that demonstra tion projects have the potential to play an even more significant role in federal personnel management in the future.