IOintern, Welcome to update 3 of my project to analyze job categories based on KSAOs. When I last wrote, I was experiencing some difficulty in determining the proper ratio of positions to allow for growth to higher paygrades. It is disappointing to report that in the past couple of weeks I have made little progress on the research front. I have decided instead to base the structural determination on a simulation based on the previous 10 years loss rates, promotion rates, and time delay between promotion points. Setting up the simulation up has taken much of the time I have been able to devote to the project. So where I stand on the project is simple. 1) KSAO based categorization is complete. 2) SME feedback collected and adjudicated. 3) Position structure assessment to determine minimum size and structure: I am finalizing the simulation and will need to analyze the outputs. The inputs have been identified and formatted. 4) Background research is mostly complete; however I am still searching for some reference material and historic internal documentation. 5) Final paper: still to be completed. My immediate plans are to run and analyze the simulation (with the help of a sharp Industrial Engineer) and to begin wrapping up the analysis. Thank you, Tom Olenchock