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Chapter 5

The OPM3 Directories

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Chapter 2 of this Standard contains an introductory overview of the steps
involved in applying OPM3 in an organization. Before reading a more
detailed explanation of these steps, the user needs to understand the uses
of the three OPM3 Directories, which are essential to the application of
OPM3. This chapter will explain the contents and organization of the Direc-
tories, which contain information pertaining to Best Practices and Capa-
bilities; this information represents the core content of OPM3. Chapter 6
will then provide a detailed account of the Steps of the OPM3 Cycle
(including how they relate to the Directories) in the context of their prac-
tical application in an organization.

5.2 EXPLANATION OF THE DIRECTORIES

There are three Directories in the OPM3 Standard:
■ Best Practices Directory
■ Capabilities Directory
■ Improvement Planning Directory
Each Directory of OPM3 serves a unique purpose. All three are neces-
sary to utilize the Model’s content fully—to assess an organization against
the OPM3 Standard and evaluate the scope and sequence of possible
improvements. All three are organized in order by the Best Practices’ unique
identifiers. Best Practices were assigned unique four-digit identifiers, begin-
ning with the number 1000—a system designed to allow for future addi-
tions to the list and to prevent problems with leading zeros.
The following explanations are repeated for user convenience in the
appendices containing the Directories.
The Best Practices Directory lists nearly 600 Best Practices that form the
foundation of the OPM3 content. An organization will use this Directory
following the first phase of the Assessment step, to identify Best Practices
for any potential improvement effort. This Directory provides the name and

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