A Department of Defense (DoD) 2040 Task Force (D2T) challenge on talent management innovation drew in more than 200 proposals from across the Armed Services over the last year.
Launched in August 2023, the challenge sought ideas from Service members and affected civilians on how to improve talent management, particularly with regard to recruiting, retaining and promoting diversity in the workforce. Ideas came in from domestic and global sources alike, and were reviewed and ranked by a team of subject matter experts ahead of a semi-final round. In all, 33 ideas made it that far, and were pitched to a panel of Secretary of Defense subject matter experts and senior leaders.
Ultimately, nine ideas became finalists and winners.
“The Innovation Challenge contestants’ creativity, passion, and dedication to the Department and our nation are an important part of our combined efforts to carry out the National Defense Strategy and Secretary Austin’s priorities for the Department – defending our nation, taking care of our people, and succeeding through teamwork,” Ashish Vazirani, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, said. “The Department’s greatest strength is our people, and efforts like this challenge will help us develop cultures where staff feel comfortable bringing forward solutions to the Department’s talent management pain points.”
Finalists have now been matched with policy offices to further back and develop their ideas. These Ideas ranged from Artificial Intelligence use, to spousal support programs, upscaling workforce needs through third party vendors and competency development through gaming.
DoD noted that each idea helped leadership understand talent management challenges and pain points, and that all submitted ideas will be used to better focus future talent management work across the department.