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The EVM Newsletter™ #62                                       November 2014
WOMEN IN PM      EVM CONTEST      LOE GUIDE     GOOGLE "GOOGLE"     RISKY PMs  
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TopThe annual Integrated Program Management conference/workshop is over. I met some of our EVM Newsletter readers there.  If I missed you maybe we'll meet at EVM World in May.

 

This Newsletter highlights the major points made by the second IPM keynote speaker. In future issues we'll touch on some of the more interesting practice symposium sessions.

 

Boeing is back on the EVMS good list. They can now invoice the $65M that was withheld by DOD when it was found that they relaxed enforcement of some of the ANSI 748 Guidelines. Now their EVMS is ANSI 748 compliant again. Don't get your organization on the EVMS bad list. Look at your EVMS, not just the data. Even if the data looks good, is the process that got it to you correct? Fix the little things before they become big things. Whose job is it? Everyone who handles EVM data: CAMS, EVM focal points, finance, contracts, program management, supply chain, etc. Know what your EVM System Description requires. If someone is not following it tell someone! If someone asks to do something that is not right, stop. (Like planning scope that is not yet under contract.) EVMS surveillance is really a year 'round activity.

 

   

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Our EVM contest is over. We have a winner who defined the essence of EVM in the fewest words. She wins our EVP Exam Prep Study Guide.

 

Two reader's letters are discussed. One was about grammar, and one about beautiful women. I guess that means there were no EVM issues in last month's email.

 

You will never guess who is now running a NASA facility.

 

Last month we talked about the characteristics of people who make poor program managers. As promised we conclude last month's Tidbit with characteristics of people who make good program managers.

   

You can help make the EVM 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  [email protected]  

 

 

Ray Stratton, PMP, EVP 

Editor

 

BLOCK1 

IPM 2014 Report

 

The twenty sixth Integrated Program Management Workshop (Conference) is history. Yes, it's now a Workshop but the program followed the traditional IPMC. Training and workshops in the AM, practice symposiums and tools tracks in the PM. Great food, interesting keynote speakers, and lots of networking. Were you there? Over 360 EVM and IPM professionals were there to share ideas, present, attend, network, and socialize.

 

A high point was the keynote address by Leanne Caret, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance, for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS).

 

She started with the point that the defense community needs to balance affordability with capability. There should be no surprises. Trust and insight are key. It's not about oversight, it's about transparency.

 

Part of transparency is data. Simple sources of data. Data that are good enough for prompt decision making, without waiting for perfect data or blindly believing in the data.

 

She added that, "Too much data does not make for good decision making." But she added that data should drive behavior, culture, and decisions.

 

She closed by stating that effective processes, functional excellence, and strong leadership make a program successful.

 

Summaries of other presentations from IPM 2014 will be in future issues of The EVM Newsletter.

 

If you missed IPM look for it in early November 2015. Can't wait that long? Plan to attend CPM's EVM World 2015 in New Orleans 27-29 May.

  

Block2Women, a Danger to Projects, Really?

I don't think so. Not my idea. I like women. About half the world's population is women.

 

So I was surprised, and somewhat amused, by a male reader's email commenting on the use of this image. agile  

 

He said "she possesses the capability of diverting our energy and minds AWAY from project-related detail and even introducing us to 'mind control'.  No?  Don't believe me?  With the right outfit on, and her charms in full gear..."

 

I have to assume "our" means "men" but still, are we men so easily diverted from our work by a woman? I don't think so. Let's talk it over at a nearby Hooters. 

  
 BLOCK5Grammer

It's always interesting to get reader feedback.

 

I got an email from a US GS-9 contract specialist last month. He commented on about four grammatical errors in the October EVM Newsletter. Yes, they are there. There are probably some in this EVM Newsletter. If you have ever tried to proof your own writing you know it's hard. That is why the software industry has embraced "peer-reviews". When the Newsletter is getting finished my best hours have already been spent with client needs. The Newsletter gets attention later in the day.

 

Still, I was feeling bad when the message might have been worthwhile but the delivery was flawed. Then I spent the day at the Newseum in D.C. and found myself, and my poor sentences, had good company in news media that was peer reviewed or proofed by others.

 

"Base closing get Bush's OK; Congress next", The Indianapolis Star, 2005

 

"Asteroid Nearly Missed Earth", The Washington Post, 2002

 

"Crowds Rushing to See Pope Trample 6 to Death", Journal Star, 1980

 

"Take Pride, don't lose site of why you teach", message from Teacher of the Year, 1989

 

"Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge", Milford Citizen, 1982

 

"Flier to duplicate Miss Earhart's fatal flight", New Jersey Herald, 1984

 

"Rumsfeld's pubic role is shrinking", Providence (RI) Journal, 2004

 

"Poll says that 53% believe media offen make mistakes", San Diego Union- Tribune, 1998

 

"CORRECTION: it was incorrectly reported last Friday that today is T-shirt Appreciation Day. If fact, it is actually Teacher Appreciation Day", Daily Vidette, 1995

 

"First female Marines train for combat with men", Newton Daily News, 1997

 

"Microsoft accuses federal judge of being impartial", Appeal- Democrat, 2000

 

"Genetically modified crops talk of meeting", Hews Gazette, 2001

 

Now I don't feel so bad.... or is it badly. (ugh.)

 


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BLOCK2

EVM Contest Ends

For over two months we had a contest. The goal was toanswer the question, "How is EVM different from other project performance methods."

 

As I went through the submissions I found some entries suggesting that EVM ensures project success. If only that were true. So those entries fell out. Since brevity was a goal those that addressed implementation via control accounts got too long and if used to brief someone would entail explaining control accounts too.award
 


 

Quoting from books by known authors did not count. Those that were so short as to need further explanation also removed from the candidates. Now it got tougher.

 

I did look for a mention of both cost and schedule (time) performance. I also looked for a mention of forecasting outcomes. In the end there were two strong candidates and I selected the shorter of the two. And the winner is....

 

"EVM analyzes a project's current cost and time performance to prognosticate its completion path"


 

It was submitted by Lisa Brodie, (aka Lisa Glazatcheff, PMP). Lisa will receive a bound copy of our Earned Value Professional (EVP) Study Guide.

 

So what would I have liked to see? No one mentioned the fact that EVM is the only PM tool I know off that allows us to compare both progress made and expenditures with the same units (dollars, staff-hours, etc.).


 

Everyone, thanks for your submissions.

 

Maybe the next contest should be "find the grammar errors in the Newletter". (See I can really can spele "grammar".)

   

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Quotable Quote
quill

"

 

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.

 

 

 

 

Earl Warren, chief justice of the United States

BLOCK4Tidbit #62, Avoiding Risky /Project Program Managers, Part 2

Last month our Tidbit discussed the traits of scary project managers. It was based on work performed by a researcher on why some pilots scare us while some do not.

 

We promised a follow-on Tidbit to address those characteristics that we should look for if we want to find good project managers.

 

One is confidence. While extreme self-confidence is not a desirable trait, confidence is. It's just that with confidence these PMs don't need to impress anyone. Their egos are in place. They are realistic about themselves and what they will attempt, and are willing to admit to limitations.

 

Another item is having an orderly and stable lifestyle.

 

Being thoughtful and responsible are positive characteristics.

 

A trustworthy project manager has self-knowledge, self-mastery, and cares about what is really important.

 

Willingness to learn and change is part of the characteristics of a good project manager.

 

Like pilots, at lot can be learned by letting them drive you to lunch. One's driving shows how one approaches risk, work-arounds, rules, concern for others, and priorities. Have your PM drive you to lunch. You might just get some real insight. Or maybe just lunch.

 

   
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Management Technologies Products & Services 
EVPrep and EVM Workshops

EVPrep Exam Prep Workshop

 

The workshop covers all the topics likely covered in the exam and provides exam-like questions 

EVP Pin

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).

  

"Ray, your course is excellent preparation for the EVP Certification test. Your questions were comprehensive like the test and somewhat harder (more complex) than the real test. Your preparation course especially helped with the memo."

Jeff Kottmyer

NASA

  

Do you have an  EVP FAQ?  

(Link :http://www.mgmt-technologies.com/EVP%20FAQ.html)

 

Does our EVPrep workshop and/or EVP Study Guide really help with the EVP exam?

(Link: http://www.mgmt-technologies.com/earned%20value%20management%20EVP%20Study%20Guide.html)

  

Using these data and data from AACE regarding yearly totals of EVP exams taken and exams passed we did some statistical analysis.

 

Yes, our EVPrep products are effective in increasing the likelihood of passing the EVP exam.

  

Earned Value Experience (CAM) Workshop

Classroom

 

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


 

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Where Can I Find More Tidbits?

 

Where can you go to find old EVM Newsletter Tidbits?

map

 

Since August of 2009 each EVM Newsletter has included a tidbit to help make EVM work better, be less costly, or more accurate, or timelier. 

  

All the Tidbits are available via a link  that lists each topic or theme. The link is on all our web pages as well. 

   

 


http://www.mgmt-technologies.com/The%20EVM%20Newsletter%20tidbits%20archive.html
 

 

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Conferences and Events

WHAT: Construction CPM Conference

WHEN: 12-17 January 2015

EVENTS: 12-13 AACE SoCal Education; 13-14 PMA Netpoint & GPM User Meeting; 14 Synchro User Meeting; 12-14 Vendor Training sessions; 15-17 Planning Planet User Meeting; 15-17 Construction CPM Conference sessions

WHERE: San Diego, CA

MORE INFO: http://www.constructioncpm.com

 

WHAT:  Project Governance and Controls Symposium 2015

WHEN:  6-7 May 2015

WHERE: UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra

MORE INFO: http://www.pgcs.org.au/index.php.

  

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Block10Google "base ops" and get "Google"
Google has agreed to a deal in which it will lease NASA's Moffett airfield for the next 60 years. As part of the lease, Google will take over operations of the airfield while the U.S. government retains ownership of the land.

According to a NASA press release, Planetary Ventures LLC, a shell organization operated by Google, will contribute $1.16 billion over the course of the lease, while reducing the government agency's maintenance and operation costs by $6.3 million annually.

 

According to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden: "As NASA expands its presence in space, we are making strides to reduce our footprint here on Earth," he says.

 

Once renovations are complete, Moffett's Hangar One will again be home to high-tech innovation as Planetary Ventures begins using the historic facility for research, development, assembly and testing in the areas of space exploration, aviation, rover/robotics and other emerging technologies. Hangars Two and Three will be used for similar purposes. 

 

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BLOCK9

AACE Releases Recommended Practice on LOE


AACE has released a recommended practice titled "79R-13, Level of Effort Planning and Execution on Earned Value Projects - Within the Framework of ANSI EIA-748"

According to AACE the recommended practice (RP) discusses the purpose, application, measurement and control of the use of level of effort (LOE) work.

 

The document provides guidance for planning, managing and reporting performance of LOE tasks that is not discrete or apportioned.

 

Contributors to this document are: Thomas W. Jaeger, EVP (Author); Robert Loop, EVP PSP (Technical Advisor); Dan Melamed, CCP EVP (Technical Advisor); and Richard C. Plumery, EVP.

 

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Copyright 2014, Management Technologies 

 

The EVM Newsletter, EVPrep, The Earned Value Management Maturity Model, EVM3, EzEVM, 
The CAM^Exam, and The Earned Value Experience are trademarks of Management Technologies.

 

The Earned Value Professional, EVP, and the AEP logo
 are marks of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, International. (AACE�).

 

 

EVM World is a 
registered trademark of the College of Performance Management, Inc.

 

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