Human resource practices in state government: Findings from a national survey

What are states doing with respect to human resource practices to improve g overnment operations? Using data collected by the Government Performance Pr oject, this article identifies emerging trends and innovations in state per sonnel systems. Specifically, it provides a national comparison in the area s of personnel authority, workforce planning, selection, classification, an d performance management. Results show that many states are delegating auth ority for personnel functions to agencies and managers, shifting their huma n resource missions to being more proactive and collaborative with agencies , and adopting performance management systems that integrate organizational and individual goals. In short, many states are investing considerable res ources to modernize their human resource management systems.