• Increase the efficiency of human resources management systems. 
• Strengthen management's role in human resources management. 
• Improve management's ability to hire, motivate, and retain staff. 
• Emphasize pay for performance. 

These objectives support several key goals: to simplify the current classification system for greater flexibility in classifying work and paying employees; to establish a performance management and rewards system for improving individual and organizational performance; and to improve recruiting and examining to attract highly qualified candidates and get new hires to report for work faster. 

The Commerce Alternative Personnel System introduces major changes in several key areas of human resources management. These changes are constantly evaluated to determine their impact on the ability of the participating operating units to manage their human resources.