The key point to understand about the flaws in the federal hiring process is that they are about much more than just speed. Government needs to hire fast, but more importantly, it needs to hire well. One of the most important things that the federal government must do to ensure that it has the right people in the right place is accurately assess the skills and competencies of potential workers. This report analyzes government assessment practices and shows that its policies for assessing talent are not only outdated; they are unacceptable and in need of dramatic reform.