Pinnacle Insights

NDIA hosted their IPMD Fall Meeting on September 11th - 12th at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center in Denver, CO. With many different topics discussed, there were some interesting panel discussions and other insights we feel necessary to take note of.

An Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) is a joint customer/contractor activity walking through and assessing the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB). IBRs are typically performed within a few months after a contract has been awarded, although they can be performed at any time, including pre-contract award.

With two new enhancements released in the most recent update to Oracle's PPM software, I am sure many of you are asking if you should update your system. Below we will discuss these new features and the benefits they can provide you if you do decide to update. 

Oracle's Primavera Unifier is a cost control, capital planning, and project phase delivery tool. Oracle Construction and Engineering has now enhanced their already great Unifier tool with added Earned Value Management (EVM) capabilities. 

Often these two terms are used interchangeably, but they mean very different things to those of us who have been implementing project management and project controls systems.  

In Part 2 of this series, Schedule Analysis, Part 2: Why Should I Do It?, it was stated that schedule analysis increases confidence in the schedule and its results. It provides information as to where the schedule needs to be improved and how it needs to be improved. 

In Part 1 of this series, Schedule Analysis, Part 1: What Is It?, provided a brief introduction to schedule analysis. This article discusses why a schedule analysis should be performed. But first, a point of clarification. Schedule analysis and Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) are two different things. 

Update: August 26, 2024.
Please note that the article below refers to the implementation of a DFAR deviation implemented in 2017 that effectively changed the EVMS validation threshold for DOD cost-plus development contracts to $100M, while keeping EVMS reporting threshold at $20M. The 2024 NDAA directs the Dept of Defense to update the DFAR to raise the reporting threshold to $50M, and officially change the validation threshold to $100M. DFARs changes take a long time, and we will post additional information when changes are made.

At the most recent NDIA Integrated Program Management (IPM) Division Meeting, John McGregor, Director of Earned Value Management for OSD Performance Assessment & Root Cause Analysis (PARCA) took the stage to discuss the latest updates related to EVM threshold requirements for DoD contracts. During the presentation, John clarified that DoD Instruction 5000.02 is finalized, signed and in full affect, even though the document looks like it may be in draft form.