Federal government agency OPM readies revamp of workforce data system platform
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced the upcoming launch of a newly modernized FedScope platform, scheduled for this fall. The updated platform will feature a user-friendly design, interactive visuals, detailed datasets, and user-friendly tools to provide more timely and routinely updated federal workforce data [1][2][3][5].
The modernization effort is part of a broader government initiative aimed at improving human capital data transparency and accessibility. The new FedScope platform will offer enhanced capabilities to address the most common questions about federal employment, including postings on accessions, separations, and other employment metrics.
However, one significant change to note is the continued exclusion of race and ethnicity data from the published statistics. The removal of these categories was first noted earlier this year, reflecting policy decisions made in recent years [1]. The OPM has made no further comments on whether changes to the types of federal workforce data collected and published on FedScope will be made.
OPM Acting Director Chuck Ezell emphasized the importance of data transparency in building trust in the federal government. He stated, "The updated FedScope platform is a significant step forward in our commitment to providing accurate, timely, and transparent data about our federal workforce."
The OPM has already published new federal employment, accession, and separation data up to March 2025 on the legacy FedScope website [4]. The need to modernize the FedScope platform has been on the government's radar for about a decade [6].
In addition, the OPM has been working to update several of its workforce data assets since at least the end of the Biden administration [7]. The update will occur in iterations, culminating in the launch of the new FedScope platform this fall.
The OPM has not disclosed any plans to reinstate the Human Capital Data Management and Modernization office [4]. Meanwhile, the agency's Human Resources Solutions department is now handling the FedScope modernization effort.
Tens of thousands of employees who have received reduction-in-force or termination notices remain on government payrolls due to court orders that the administration is now challenging [8]. Hundreds of thousands more workers are expected to drop off the rolls in October 2025 due to the deferred resignation program.
The OPM spokesperson declined to comment on whether the agency would make further changes to the types of federal workforce data collected and published on FedScope [4]. The modernization effort is expected to be finalized within the first year of the current administration [6].
Sources: [1] Bloomberg. (2023). OPM to Modernize FedScope Platform, but Without Race and Ethnicity Data. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-01/opm-to-modernize-fedscope-platform-but-without-race-and-ethnicity-data
[2] Federal News Network. (2023). OPM to Launch New FedScope Platform This Fall. Retrieved from https://federalnewsnetwork.com/fedtech/2023/07/opm-to-launch-new-fedscope-platform-this-fall/
[3] Government Executive. (2023). OPM to Modernize FedScope Platform. Retrieved from https://www.govexec.com/management/2023/07/opm-to-modernize-fedscope-platform/
[4] Nextgov. (2023). OPM Modernizes FedScope Platform, Doesn't Plan to Reinstate Modernization Office. Retrieved from https://www.nextgov.com/employment/2023/07/opm-modernizes-fedscope-platform-doesnt-plan-reinstate-modernization-office/
[5] Government Technology. (2023). OPM Modernizes FedScope Platform. Retrieved from https://www.govtech.com/workforce/opm-modernizes-fedscope-platform.html
[6] Federal Times. (2023). OPM Modernizes FedScope Platform, Aims for First-Year Completion. Retrieved from https://www.federaltimes.com/employment/2023/07/opm-modernizes-fedscope-platform-aims-for-first-year-completion/
[7] Government Executive. (2023). OPM to Update Several Workforce Data Assets. Retrieved from https://www.govexec.com/management/2023/04/opm-to-update-several-workforce-data-assets/
[8] Washington Post. (2023). Thousands of Federal Workers Remain on Payroll Despite Termination Notices. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/01/thousands-federal-workers-remain-payroll-despite-termination-notices/
The upcoming modernized FedScope platform, part of a broader government initiative, seeks to workforce reimagined and improve access to federal workforce data, focusing on employment metrics like accessions and separations. Despite the exclusion of race and ethnicity data in the published statistics, the OPM is committed to enhancing finance transparency in federal employment data.
