Measuring Value and Efficiency

Measuring Value and Efficiency
Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services. Panel on Defense Acquisition Reform
Publisher:
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2010
Genre: History
ISBN:

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Earned Value Management System Criteria

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Earned Value Management System Criteria
Author: John R. Cole
Publisher:
Total Pages: 135
Release: 1997-09-01
Genre:
ISBN: 9781423582724

In December 1996, the Cost/Schedule Control Systems Criteria (C/SCSC) was officially replaced by the Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) criteria. The switch to EVMS, coupled with current acquisition reform changes, have left many wondering what the effects of these changes will be. This thesis defines the costs and benefits of the old C/SCSC, and then compares them. Additionally, this thesis discusses the changes accompanying the switch to EVMS and the effect on the costs and benefits. The marginal costs of C/SCSC are defined as the difference between the costs of a C/SCSC compliant system and a contractors normal management control system. The marginal system compliance costs are 334- 481 person days, while the marginal operating costs are 50% of the C/SCSC compliant operating costs. Fourteen benefits of C/SCSC are detailed in this thesis. The most important benefit discovered was the data reliability that comes with a criteria compliant management control system. The main difference between C/SCSC and EVMS is the system certification process. Under C/SCSC, DoD teams would have to certify a contractor's system. Under EVMS, contractors have the ability to self-certify their system (with final government approval). Cost savings may result through self-certification without reductions in the benefits.

Analysis of How the Work Breakdown Structure Can Facilitate Acquisition Reform Initiatives

Analysis of How the Work Breakdown Structure Can Facilitate Acquisition Reform Initiatives
Author: Robert L. Thomas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 179
Release: 1999-12
Genre:
ISBN: 9781423539476

Program Managers (PMs) need insight into the high-risk and high-cost elements of their programs to effectively manage them. The Department of Defense (DoD) has adopted several acquisition reform initiatives in order to become a smarter, more efficient, and more responsive buyer of goods and services that meet our warfighter's needs. DoD 5000.2-R Regulation requires PMs to tailor a work breakdown structure (WBS) for each program using the guidance in Military- Handbook-881 (MIL-HDBK-881), "DoD Handbook Work Breakdown Structure". This research concludes that a WBS structured in accordance with MIL-HDB-881 can significantly impede implementation of DoD acquisition reform initiatives. It does not adequately identify the key products and processes essential for program success. An alternate method of constructing a WBS was developed which better identifies and differentiates key products and processes. This research concludes that the alternate WBS has the potential to significantly facilitate implementation of recent DoD acquisition reform initiatives, as well as the potential to provide PMs greater visibility and early identification of cost, schedule, performance, and risk issues using an Earned Value Management System (EVMS).

Performance-Based Earned Value

Performance-Based Earned Value
Author: Paul Solomon
Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Computer Society Press
Total Pages: 322
Release: 2007
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

A complete toolkit for implementation of Earned Value Management Performance-Based Earned Value uniquely shows project managers how to effectively integrate technical, schedule, and cost objectives by improving earned value management (EVM) practices. Providing innovative guidelines, methods, examples, and templates consistent with capability models and standards, this book approaches EVM from a practical level with understandable techniques that are applicable to the management of any project. Clear and unambiguous instructions explain how to incorporate EVM with key systems engineering, software engineering, and project management processes such as establishing the technical or quality baseline, requirements management, using product metrics, and meeting success criteria for technical reviews. Detailed information is included on linking product requirements, project work products, the project plan, and the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB), as well as correlating technical performance measures (TPM) with EVM. With straightforward instructions on how to use EVM on a simple project, such as building a house, and on complex projects, such as high-risk IT and engineering development projects, it is the only book that includes excerpts from the PMI®'s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®), CMMI, the EVM System standard, systems engineering standards, federal acquisition regulations, and Department of Defense guides. Performance-Based Earned Value allows both novices and experienced project managers, including project manager of suppliers and customers in the commercial and government sectors; software and systems engineering process improvement leaders; CMMI appraisers; PMI members; and IEEE Computer Society members to: Incorporate product requirements and planned quality into the PMB Conduct an Integrated Baseline Review Analyze performance reports Perform independent assessments and predictive analysis Ensure that key TPMs are selected, monitored, and reported Identify the right success criteria for technical reviews Develop techniques for monitoring and controlling supplier performance Integrate risk management with EVM Comply with government acquisition policies and regulations Written by Paul Solomon and Ralph Young, internationally recognized industry experts, Performance-Based Earned Value is constructed from guidance in standards and capability models for EVM, systems engineering, software engineering, and project management. It is the complete guide to EVM, invaluable in helping students prepare for the PMI®-PMP® exam with practical examples and templates to facilitate understanding, and in guiding project professionals in the private and public sectors to use EVM on complex projects. (PMI, PMBOK, PMP, and Project Management Professional are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.)

Reexamining Military Acquisition Reform

Reexamining Military Acquisition Reform
Author: Christopher H. Hanks
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2005
Genre: History
ISBN: 9780833037077

In the Department of Defense, 63 distinct acquisition reform (AR) initiatives were undertaken from 1989 to 2002. By looking at what the AR movement "was" in the 1990s (by describing the initiatives launched under its name) and by letting acquisition personnel describe in their own words how their work was affected by those initiatives, the authors seek to shed light on what the AR movement has and has not accomplished in terms of changing the way the acquisition process works.