Development of User-Friendly Credit Report

Abstract : The Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center (PERSEREC) sponsored a research effort to develop a user-friendly credit report for reporting financial standing of individuals subject to security investigations. Two rounds of focus groups were conducted with end-users of the current credit report form, including case controllers, field agents, and adjudicators, to obtain their insights into the effectiveness of the current credit reporting form and their recommendations for revision. Recommended improvements to the credit report included revising the layout, organization, and informational content of the current form. A prototype user-friendly credit report was developed based on the results of the first round of focus groups and was evaluated by potential end-users during the second round. Based on the second set of focus groups and on input from PERSEREC and Defense Investigative Service (DIS) management personnel, final revisions were made to produce a credit report format that is more user-friendly and also meets the specific information requirements of the end-users.