Over the past few years, the DCMA has been moving towards Data-Driven Earned Value Management metrics to ensure contract compliance. This approach involved a name change from EVAS (Earned Value Analysis System) to DECM (DCMA EVMS Compliance Metrics). And, a couple of months ago, the DCMA rolled out their v3.3 metrics.
For those eager to get hold of these, you can download the EVMS Compliance Metric Templates (.zip | .xlsx) directly from the DCMA website here.
There are three files covering:
- Metrics Templates
- EVMS Compliance Procedures
- Metrics Tracking and Data Artifact List
The prior version (v3.2) had 139 test metrics and now v3.3 adds an additional 6 metrics. Aside from some minor tweaks and clarification, these 6 metrics focus on ensuring that Planning Packages and Summary Level Planning Packages (SLPPs) don’t have actual start dates.
DECM now gives the DCMA the tools to better assess supplier controls and procedures and, their compliance with the 32 EIA 748 EVMS Standard. They also want to educate suppliers as to how the DCMA uses their EVM data so they can better align.
The DCMA have organized around EVMS business practices which each have Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). The goal is to provide more accurate and consistent information both across the organization and to external companies. These business practices are listed below:
- BP1 – Pre-Award EVM System Plan Review
- BP2 – Post Award Earned Value Management System Description – Initial and Changes
- BP3 – Contract Initiation Support
- BP4 – EVMS Surveillance
- BP5 – EVMS Review for Cause
- BP6 – Compliance Review Execution
- BP7 – EVMS Compliance Metric Configuration Control
As this is a data driven approach, data quality is of the utmost importance. It can highlight whether or not your organization is committed to using rigorous project controls and earned value management to actually manage your program. Using data tracing, the DCMA can verify your processes as well as the quality and credibility of your schedule, budget and forecast information.
Tool vendors are releasing updated versions of their products to accommodate these changes. In fact, Deltek has already released Acumen 8.5 which supports the new metrics.
Summary
The change in emphasis and approach by the DCMA together with these new metrics will enable a clearer and more consistent interaction with government contractors. It will also help drive improvements in the use of project and earned value management.
Finally, giving management the tools together with more reliable and accurate information will help them better address project risks and issues. It will also help in more accurate project forecasting which, both the government and contractor should be interested in.