OPM Rolls Out Guidance for “Rule of Many”- Promising More Flexible and Competitive Federal Hiring

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provided details to agencies on how to implement the “Rule of Many’ in the federal hiring process. The goal of the rule, which was published in the Federal Register in September, is to create broader pools of candidates and give hiring managers more flexibility. 

The rule effectively blends the procedures of previous federal hiring standards like the “Rule of Three” selection method and category ratings to deliver more options to hiring managers. OPM says the change provides “a more flexible, merit-focused approach.”

In a series of guidance documents, OPM provided FAQs on a wide variety of topics including implementation, how the rule blends with category ratings, how it impacts shared certificates, skills-based hiring, and more. 

The new process uses a numerical ranking system, with applicants assigned scores and placed in rank order (augmented for veterans’ preference). Agencies then make selections from a predetermined number of the highest-ranked qualified candidates. 

“In doing so, the Rule of Many combines the strengths of the rule of three and category rating procedures. It enables agencies to make finer distinctions among candidates based on their relative qualifications, while also broadening the range of applicants from which hiring managers may select,” stated OPM. 

Skills-Based Impact

The guidance also includes documents on how the “Rule of Many” intersects with priorities such as skills-based hiring. 

OPM notes that the “Rule of Many” does not change skills or qualifications needed, but instead “gives agencies more flexibility after candidates have been found qualified,” expanding the applicant pool. 

The rule of many also encourages agencies to use comprehensive assessments, including structured interviews and job simulations. 

Agencies Facing Pressure

However, the Partnership for Public Service warns that agencies are unlikely to overhaul their hiring practices anytime soon, giving funding and staffing crunches. 

“The ‘rule of many’ is a good tool, but until those ingredients are all put together, I don’t think that you’ll see it rolled out immediately,” said Partnership vice president of government affairs Jenny Mattingley to Federal News Network. “It does look like the administration is going to encourage agencies to hire, except at the same time, agencies are still facing budget uncertainty. They’re facing downward pressure on headcount.”