EVM Newsletter #12: EVM Certifications Explained, More EVM Please, Tidbit - Getting EV Correct, EVM Jobs, Conferences, more...

EVM Tidbit #12 suggests that your organization consider getting their value of EV from someone other than the CAM. Perhaps an EVM facilitator from your project controls group (or start such a group). You might get a different and more accurate value of EV as a result. Getting the EV right is always the most difficult part of getting good EVM data.

We've rescheduled an Earned Value Experience workshop to Aug 24-25. If you could not attend this Seattle area workshop before perhaps you can do so now. The discounted ($100 off) registration fee will apply to all registrations for this workshop.

There is the usual update on EVM conferences, with the addition of one in Canberra.

Ethics. You would think everyone has them. Both PMI and AACE require that their certified individuals maintain the highest ethical standards. They require the same of their respective Registered Educational Providers (R.E.P.) and Approved Education Providers (A.E.P.). So it was disappointing to find our explicitly copyrighted material on the website of another R.E.P/A.E.P, with a PMP as C.E.O. without attribution or permission. We have followed the PMI and AACE processes for filing of violations of these ethics policies, possibly resulting in the revocation of their R.E.P, A.E.P. and PMP designations of the firm and individual involved. Its nice to know these organizations follow up on such member concerns.

We are revalidating our EVM Newsletter e-mail list in September (was to be August). This helps make sure people who no longer want The EVM Newsletter can opt out, those who want it can reaffirm their opt-in. Look for an e-mail on this subject in September. Management Technologies got an award from our e-mail distributor for adhering to best e-mail practices! We'd like to keep it up.

We have a new EVM job posting, and report on a recent survey of US Government IT Specialists regarding EVM

You can help make this newsletter interesting by contributing news about your activities in EVM, your company, product announcements, or your projects. Each month starts with a blank sheet, we don't make this stuff up! Send news to me at evinfo@mgmt-technologies.com

Ray Stratton, PMP,EVP

Editor

EVM Tidbit #11

Are EVM Pack Rats a good thing?

Have you seen a video on pack rats? They scurry about collecting items of value. "Value" to a pack rat means something shiny or

bright. "Rat Bling".

I think a successful EVMS should include EVM pack rats. These are the members of the EVM support staff that are experts at running around the project and getting all the EV "bling" that the project deserves. They are not control account managers or the project managers. They are experts in the organization's EVMS System Description, the rules of the work-in-process measures (WIPS, or Earned Value Techniques), and familiar with typical project work. (They might also be cost or schedule analysts.)

The EV pack rats might be assigned to one project or many projects. Their role is making sure the EV is correct for the work accomplished. They also observe what EV techniques (WIP measures) seem to work best for each type of work and share this knowledge across other projects. They also can forward best practices back into the EVMS.

They bring process to the periodic collecting of EV throughout the project by working with each CAM to determine the most accurate value of EV for the completed work. They are less likely than a CAM to overstate EV and can disassociate the EV with the AC. In addition, since there is probably no reporting relationships between the EVM Pack Rat and CAM there is possibly a more cooperative discussion about the right value of EV.

How do you get the value of EV on your projects? From the CAM? From the PM? Consider an EV facilitator - an EVM Pack Rat. Periodically they scurry around the project, visiting all the CAMs and collecting all the EV they can. Who doesn't need all the EV "Bling" they can get?

When this idea was first mentioned in one of my seminars a person objected to the title "EVM Pack Rat". They suggested "EVM Squirrel" would be better because squirrels are cute. Whatever you wish call these people, consider getting your EV from someone other than the CAM whose performance is also being measured.

"Pile on More EVM Please", says Gov't IT Specialists

Meritalk is an online community of government information technology specialists. They recently held a survey on reducing pile of rocks

spending and improving project performance delivery. EVM was mentioned several times in the survey report.

The majority of respondents said agencies should be using mandated project management methods such as earned value management more often. Only 17 percent of respondents said they consistently used earned value management.

Nearly 60 percent of officials confessed to a lack of program management and earned value management training.

{Source: Government Executive)

Earned Value Experience™ (CAM workshop) and EVPrep™ Exam Prep Workshop Dates

Earned Value Experience (CAM) Workshop

You'll experience creating an earned value management baseline, determining earned value from project status, Classroom

calculating earned value management indices, and estimating final cost and completion date. This workshop is perfect for team leads, control account managers, financial and schedule control staff, project and program managers, and chief project officers.

Excel EzEVM™Templates may be retained by attendees to implement earned value management in their organization.

The Earned Value Experience (CAM) workshop will be conducted in:

Seattle WA Aug 24-25 (REVISED DATES!)
San Jose CA Aug 17-18
Arlington VA Sept 14-15
Chicago IL Sept 21-22

View the Earned Value Experience (CAM) workshop outline and get the registration form.

EVPrep Exam Prep Workshop

The workshop covers all the topics likely covered in the exam and provides exam-like questions and workshop discussion about each question and the possible answers. This workshop also includes an EVM analysis question to help prepare you for the three page written essay in Part II (was part IV).

This is twelve hours of mock EVP exam and discussions of correct and incorrect answers.

The EVPrep™ workshop will be conducted in

Seattle WA Aug 12-13
San Jose, CA Aug 19-20
Arlington VA Sept 16-17
Chicago IL Sept 23-24
Reston VA Oct 27-28

Do you have an EVP FAQ?

Go to AACE's website for the latest information about exam dates.

View the EVPrep workshop outline and get the registration form.

Interested in an on-site workshop? Send an e-mail with your your address and the number of attendees to receive a quote.

Upcoming EVM and PM Conferences

24th IPMA World Congress

WHO:IPMA

WHEN: November 1-3 2010

WHERE:Istanbul, Turkey
MORE INFO: http://www.ipma2010.com/congress.php

EVA Europe 2010

WHEN:November 24-25, 2010

WHERE: Belgium

MORE INFO:

http://www.eva-europe.eu/2010/

NASA PM Challenge
NASA PM Logo

WHEN: February 9-10, 2011

WHERE: Long Beach CA

MORE INFO: http://pmchallenge.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.htm

EVM World 2011
WHEN: May 18-20, 2011

WHERE: Naples, FL

MORE INFO: PMI College of Performance Management

AACE Annual Meeting 2011
WHEN: 19-22 June

WHERE: June 19-22, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim CA

MORE INFO: AACE, International

Australasian Integrated Performance Management Symposium

(AIPMS)

WHEN: July 2011

WHERE: Canberra

MORE INFO: later

EVM Jobs

"Sierra Nevada Corporation's Communication Navigation Surveillance / Air Traffic Management business unit in Sparks, Nevada is continuing to grow in support of its customers and needs your help in this effort.

"We are looking for applicants for Business Manager.
If you meet these qualifications and are interested in joining our unique team and being part of this growing effort, please apply as indicated.

"You will manage your team, currently consisting of two Program Analysts, to support the four Product Line and twelve Program Managers in the management of their programs using Earned Value Management as a base reporting methodology.

"You will work directly for the CNS/ATM VP of Programs using the corporate tools and processes to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting of all direct and indirect programs, forecasts and budgets on a monthly basis."

Contact:

Monique Moultrie

Talent Acquisition Specialist III
Sierra Nevada Corporation

-----------------------------

CDI Corporation is seeking an Earned Value Analyst in Tucson AZ with 1-3 years of experience.

Responsibilities include:

Supporting implementation of EVM through Deltek Cobra and wInsight for reporting and analysis.
Providing subject matter expertise and work with various project teams to provide guidance and establish famliarity with all reporting requirements on scope, cost, schedule.
Assist project teams with preparation for IBR.
Assist project team in setup/maintenance of Cobra.

Requirements:

Bachelors Degree
Must have 1-3 years of experience in EVM in medium to large projects in the US Government environment.
Recent hands-on experience should include Cobra and/or wInsight tools.
Knowledge of EVM concepts, metrics, updating status, scheduling, reporting and surveillance.
Must have the ability to conduct meetings with project managers and their teams in a collaborative work environment.

Here is a rundown on certifications within the EVM community.

PMI College of Performance Management (CPM) provides certificates in: Project Management and Special Topics, Schedule Management, Earned Value Management, EV Metrics and Analysis, Technical and Risk Management, and Project Management Integration. Each certificate is awarded after the successful completion of an exam on the topic. Tests are based on the training program presentations given at PMI CPM conferences (EVM World and the Integrated Program Management Conference). Tests are held at the conference site.

PMI CPM also provides a Graduate Training Certificate in EVM. Candidates must complete testing in each of the above six areas and attend eight PMI-CPM conference symposia presentations, or by writing a paper on a PMI-CPM approved integrated project management subject.

For more information about the PMI CPM certifications and conferences contact PMI-CPM.

AACE International offers the Earned Value Professional (EVP). This is a challenging seven hour exam that one can take after having applied and been approved to sit for the exam. This is the only EVM Certification accredited by Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) and the International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC). See EVP FAQs for more information. According to Mark Snape, PMP, EVP, of Siemens Energy & Automation., "{The EVP} was most definitely the most challenging exam I have ever taken. PMP was a walk in the park in comparison ".

Do you have news to share? Send your news item and we'll review it for posting in a future EVM Newsletter.

Sincerely,

Ray Stratton, PMP, EVP
Management Technologies

The EVM Newsletter, EVPrep, The Earned Value Management Maturity Model, EVM³, EzEVM, and The Earned Value Experience are trademarks of Management Technologies. The Earned Value Professional and EVP are trademarks of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, International. (AACEi®)