The Operational Planning Assessment (OPA) is a situational assessment that measures skills related to operational planning. Applicants are placed in the role of a Federal employee who must respond to job related situations faced by those in operational planning roles. Applicants must evaluate the effectiveness of different courses of action in response to each scenario. Applicants’ responses to the situations provide insight into how they are likely to perform when facing similar situations on the job.
Series Covered
This assessment was developed to apply across multiple job series. Subject matter experts (SMEs) from across the Federal Government provided input on the scenarios and response options to develop content that is applicable across government roles and target job series.
| Job Series | Title | Job Series | Title |
| 0340 | Program Management | 0343 | Management and Program Analysis |
| 0341 | Administrative Officer | 0344 | Management Clerical and Assistance |
| 0342 | Support Services Administration | 0346 | Logistics Management |
There are three versions of the assessment with scenarios specific to grade level groupings[1].
| Version | Grade Levels |
| Version 1 | GS-7/8/9 |
| Version 2 | GS-10/11/12 |
| Version 3 | GS-13/14 |
The OPA can be expanded to additional job series for which operational planning skills are critical. Contact USAHire@opm.gov for more information regarding expansion.
[1] For agencies using pay plans other than the General Schedule, the assessments would be appropriate for GS grade equivalent groupings. OPM can work with interested agencies to determine equivalence for use of the assessment in non GS settings.