The Navy announced Sunday that an effort is underway to replace its current performance evaluation system with a new, modern one.

"While NAVFIT 98 has worked for many years, we believe that it is time to develop a different system to measure Sailors' performance," said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke. "Our reason for making this change is three-fold. First, we want a system that provides more meaningful, frequent and useful feedback to Sailors. Second, we want to objectively measure Sailors' performance. Third, we want to remove artificialities in our current system, such as the tendency of reporting seniors to rate individuals by seniority rather than talent."

The Navy's goal is to test a conceptual prototype platform later this fall while running the existing performance evaluation system in parallel.

"The Navy's current system was conceived, developed and implemented in 1996, and there has not been a major overhaul since," said Commander, Navy Personnel Command Rear Adm. Rich Brown. "Transforming the way we measure Sailors' performance will ultimately provide better transparency, counseling opportunities and a more accurate assessment of an individual's talent. Our Sailors deserve a modern evaluation system and we are working to develop it as quickly as possible."

The Navy has outlined an initial concept for a system that meets the following objectives:

o Measure an individual's performance through standards-based objective measures
o Tailor reports and counseling objectives to paygrade /seniority and experience (e.g. E1-E3; E4-E6; O1-O2; O3-O4; O5-O6)
o Remove forced distribution competitive categories
o Enable formal and informal counseling that is both meaningful and frequent
o Include warfare communities' specific-objective measures
o Provide accountability, feedback and control mechanisms on reporting seniors' performance grades
o Enhance talent matching aspects of counseling and formal reports
o Simplify reporting senior and counselor completion by allowing cloud-based/mobile device input

Navy Personnel Command began leading fleet-wide working groups in mid-April to discuss the development and implementation of a new system.

"This change is not going to occur overnight," Burke said. "We have a lot of work to do, and will partner closely with the fleet every step of the way. Rest assured that no one will be disadvantaged as we implement a new system. As we go forward, you can continue to expect a lot of discussion and we'll give you plenty of notice before any changes are made. Please make your voices heard and take part in our fleet focus groups that will travel to your home ports this summer and fall. Additionally, you have a direct line to me via email at usnpeople.fct@navy.mil. We need your help to get this right."

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/.