Basic EVM Resources
This section provides links to information and examples for using traditional EVM in accordance with the EVMS Standard (basing EV solely on work accomplished, not on Quality). If you want to base EV on progress towards meeting the product requirements and Quality, please go to tab "Advanced EV: PBEV"
Recommended links:
Defense Acquisition University (DAU):
EVM Training Center has the DAU Gold Card. It defines common EV terminology and acronyms, lists EV metric equations, and labels the most common EV graph. It also summarizes DoD EVM policy. https://acc.dau.mil/evm
NAVAIR Software EVMS Guide:
Provides valid measures to use as base measures of EV and many examples. NAVAIR Software EVMS Guide
Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) EVM Guide:
Introduction contains clear definitions of Earned Value, Earned Value Management System, and Earned Value. Federal Aviation Agency EVM Guide
Cross Talk article:
Clear, simple description of basic EVM and U.S. federal thresholds for contract application. CrossTalk:" Earned Value Management: Are Expectations Too High?" by LTC N. Patton and A. Shechet
NDIA Guides:
Includes EVM Intent Guide, Surveillance Guide, and IBR Guide. NDIA EVM (NDIA Guides)
Niwot Ridge Resources:
Glen Alleman maintains a great source of information for basic earned value in addition to project management, software project management, and related topics. Contains dozens of useful links (with descriptions of what they contain), papers and presentations. Niwot Ridge Resources
DoD EVMIG (Earned Value Management Implementation Guide) DoD EVMIG: EVM Implementation Guide
GAO Cost Assessment Guide
In March 2009, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published the final version of the GAO Cost Assessment Guide, Best Practices for Estimating and Managing Program Cost. It includes three chapters on Earned Value Management (EVM) with clearly explained methods, best practices, useful checklists, and case studies.
This is the first guide that links cost estimating and EVM. It offers transparency into how GAO will conduct an audit of a program’s cost estimate and EVM data and tips on how to develop reliable EACs using cost estimating techniques.
Some of the other topics that are well-covered are:
· Managing the technical baseline and requirements
· EVM Best Practices Checklist
· Measuring technical performance in terms of quality and technical performance
· Determine Data Reliability
· Determine if Contractor’s EAC is feasible
· Correlation of schedule performance data to technical performance measures
· Integrated Baseline Reviews
Excerpts:
Technical Baseline:
Page 58, Technical Baseline Elements include:
- Detailed technical system and performance characteristics
- Key functional requirements and performance characteristics
- Key performance parameters
TPMs:
Page 225, Determine an Objective Measure for Earned Value
Measures used to report progress in achieving milestones should be integrated with technical performance measures.
Page 251, Contract Performance Reports
Management should use the EVM data captured by the CPR data to integrate cost and schedule performance data with technical performance measures
Link to GAO Guide: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d093sp.pdf
Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress, Nov. 21, 2007
EVM as an Oversight Tool for Major Capital Investments
This report to Congress provides an overview and examples of EVM terminology and concepts. It also raises potential oversight questions for Congress such as:
1. Are underlying EVM metrics fullly, forthrightly, and timely, and transparently reported?
2. Should EVM metrics be inputs to Congressional oversight, appropriation of funds, and and authorization of agency and presidential activities?
3. What might be the advantages of requiring independently, publically accessible assessments, including verification and validation, of the underlying quality of EVM data, including cost estimates and assessments of the functionality that is delivered in comparison with what was planned?
The report states that the usefulness of EVM metrics depends on the quality and reliability of the cost, schedule, and functionality data that underlie both a project's baseline plan and its reports on work performed. CRS report, "EVM as an Oversight Tool"
Other Links:
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