New Challenge Yields New Ideas

The US Department of Defense 2040 Task Force whittled down more than 200 innovative ideas from service members and civilians to nine winners for its Talent Management Innovation Challenge.

The initiative's purpose was to solicit ideas that elevate talent management with special consideration for recruiting, retaining, and promoting a diverse workforce.

A panel of subject matter experts narrowed the field to 33 semifinalists. A group of Office of the Secretary of Defense SMEs and senior leaders selected nine winners, whose ideas included equitable talent management using artificial intelligence, spousal support programs, upscaling workforce needs through third-party vendors, and competency development via gaming.

Each finalist's ideas align with a policy office for further development.

"These creative ideas don't end today, the challenge ends, but the pathway continues," said Ronald Keohane, assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs, in a press release. "The longevity of the programs is what is really going to make the difference. The Department has various pathways for these ideas to become successful, and I'm excited to see what that will look like."