Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-106) and index.

The case for reform -- The federal government's people problems. Problems to solve. Understanding government's people problems. Learning to perform. -- The challenges of government's future. The what, how, and who of government. Changing political architecture. Managing the new policy world. The future of governance. -- A new human resources model. Redesign the federal government's central personnel agency. Ensure flexibility in choosing how to do the government's work. Rely on whoever, inside or outside government, can best produce the government's goods and services. Insist on accountability for results. Reward good performance through performance-based compensation. Equip government with a powerful core. Build a culture of performance through career development and rotation through different work. Cultivate a culture of public service. -- Guiding principles. How the what shapes the who. Barriers to reform. Jumping the barriers.