Nasa Earned Value
Nasa Earned Value
Nasa Earned Value
November 2019
NASA Engineering Network (NEN) at https://nen.nasa.gov/web/pm/ (inside the NASA firewall only).
REV
DESCRIPTION DATE
LTR
1 Revised to include IPMR which replaced the CPR January 26, 2018
and IMS on new contracts per PIC 15-06, Guidance
on the Integrated Program Management Report for
earned Value Management (April 28, 2015), new
reference number and title for the EVMS standard
EIA-748, EVMS threshold changes per PCD 15-05,
Class Deviation to NFS 1834.2, 1834.203-70,
1852.234-1 and 1852.234-2 – Earned Value
Management System Threshold (November 10,
2015), NASA HQ Memorandum for the Record:
“MSC Approval of Budget BSA Decision #6 Memo:
Raise EVM Thresholds to $250M” dated December
11, 2017, NASA surveillance process, etc.
The EVM Implementation Handbook will be updated as needed to enhance efficient and effective
EVM implementation and use across NASA (the Agency). There are two primary repositories of
NASA EVM information and documents. The NASA EVM Website, https://www.nasa.gov/evm,
is a public website that consists of all publicly available NASA EVM related policy and
requirements, handbooks, links to other websites, etc. The NEN EVM CoP,
https://nen.nasa.gov/web/pm/evm, is for NASA internal use and contains EVM capability
documents such as the NASA EVM System Description, EVMS training, Empower access and
training, etc. Both are maintained by the by the point of contact for this document (see P.5 below).
P.2 Applicability
This handbook provides EVM guidance for NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers.
P.3 Policy and Procedures
All documents can be found at the NASA EVM website (https://www.nasa.gov/evm/regulations)
unless otherwise noted.
NASA Projects
Life Cycle Costs (LCC) <$250M Life Cycle Costs (LCC) >=$250M
EIA-748 (32) Guidelines Compliance &
EVM Optional for In-house Projects
Utilize NASA EVM Capability Process
NASA Contracts
Flow-Down to Contractors and Subcontractors (Excluding Cat3/ClassD) Cat3/ClassD
<$20M $20M - <$100M >=$100M $20M - <$150M >=$150M
Non-EVM Performance EIA-748 (32) Guidelines EIA-748 (32) Guidelines EVM Principles EIA-748 (32) Guidelines
(not including launch
Mgmt Compliance Validated costs)
Validated
Performance Mgmt Terms Full EVM Terms and Full EVM Terms and Full EVM Terms and
and Conditions of DRDs Conditions of DRDs Conditions of DRDs Conditions of DRDs
The figure above illustrates the new thresholds, which will be applied differently depending upon
whether the project is new or already underway, namely:
• On new projects, EVM is required when initial LCC will be $250M or greater at or prior
to Key Decision Point B (KDP B). Note: EVM requirements for projects that fall under
$250M threshold at KDP B, but exhibit cost growth, will be re-assessed at KDP C. If the
LCC are expected to be $250M or greater, then EVM is required.
• On existing projects, EVM is required when LCC will be of $250M or greater as
determined at KDP B. For existing projects beyond KDP B, the previous EVM threshold
of $20M or greater still applies.
Although EVM is no longer required on In-house work for new projects with an LCC less than
$250M pre-KDP B, this does not preclude Mission Directorates, Centers, Programs or Projects
from implementing EVM as deemed necessary.
Contracts follow requirements outlined in the NFS (PCD 15-05). The PCD 15-05 is located at
https://www.nasa.gov/evm/regulations. Cost or fixed price incentive fee contracts with
development scope of $20M (total estimated contract value) or greater will require EVM
Project Life Pre-Phase A: Phase A: Phase B: Preliminary Phase C: Phase D: Phase E: Phase F:
Cycle Phases Concept Studies Concept & Design & Technology Final Design & System Assembly, Operations & Closeout
Technology Development fabrication Integration & Test, Sustainment
Development Launch & Checkout
Figure 1-2 NASA Project Life Cycle Relationships and EVM Application
Projects should use the NASA EVM System Description, and document and coordinate with their
respective Center EVM FP, project-specific customization when developing their EVM
The required contract reporting requirements are summarized in the NASA EVM Contract
Requirements Checklist located on the NASA EVM website at
https://www.nasa.gov/evm/regulations. Contract reporting requirements are defined in specific
DRDs included in the solicitation and contract. The EVM FP will work with the Project Manager
and the CO to ensure the DRDs are included and tailored as necessitated by the complexity of the
contract and project management reporting requirements.
The IPMR is the primary report the government uses for obtaining earned value and schedule data.
The IPMR requirement should be added as a DRD for all contracts that have an EVM requirement.
In accordance with the NFS1834.201, the appropriate solicitation provisions and contract clauses
are to be used to implement EVM and IPMR reporting on these contracts.
The IPMR is used by the contractor to provide NASA with monthly cost, schedule, and technical
performance information. The IPMR has seven formats:
• Format 1: cost/schedule data by Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Format 2: cost/schedule data by OBS
• Format 3: baseline
• Format 4: workforce
• Format 5: variance analysis format
• Format 6: IMS
• Format 7: time-phased historical and forecast cost submission
The contract IPMR DRD provides guidance for the preparation and submission of the IPMR,
required formats, variance analysis thresholds, reporting frequency, reporting levels, distribution,
and specific project instructions if required. The Data Item Description, DI-MGMT-81861 (current
revision), “Integrated Program Management Report,” is a useful guide for the development and
tailoring of the DRD for the IPMR and is located at https://www.acq.osd.mil/evm/#/policy-
guidance/dids-cdrls-standards. The NASA IPMR DRD Implementation Guide contains sample
IPMR DRDs and tailoring instructions and can be found on the NASA EVM website at
https://www.nasa.gov/evm/guidance.
3.2.4 Create a Work Breakdown Structure
The project WBS provides the structure for technical planning, scheduling, cost estimating and
budgeting, contract scope definition, work authorization, product development, status reporting
and assessment. In other words, the WBS provides the framework for implementing EVM. The
WBS should be a product-oriented hierarchical division of the hardware, software, services, and
data required to produce the required deliverables. The WBS should also be consistent with current
NASA requirements in NPR 7120.5, 7120.7 and 7120.8. An example of a contract DRD for the
WBS and WBS dictionary is provided in the NASA WBS Handbook located on the NASA EVM
website.
Normally, during the RFP stage, the solicitation will provide a contract WBS down to level three.
The contractor will use this contract WBS and extend it to the appropriate management level. The
When the contract clause, 1852.234-2 Earned Value Management System is included in the
solicitation and contract, it notifies contractors that an IBR will be conducted. Providing additional
information in the contract will ensure understanding of requirements and provide an opportunity
for clarifications. Include this information in a contract statement of work (SOW) or a performance
work statement. The SOW should require the contractor to demonstrate with evidence and to show
all appropriate documentation to support proof of an executable baseline and direct contractors to
NASA’s IBR Handbook on the NASA EVM website for guidance.
3.2.7 Include Management Review Requirements
Management reviews are typically held on a regular basis and involve government team members
and contractors reviewing the work status. Guidance should be included in the contract SOW or
performance work statement to describe the role and content of EVM in these reviews. The review
includes such topics as cost, schedule, and technical performance. It should also include a
quantified risk assessment with impacts and provide a means of identifying action items and
ensuring that they are completed. As each manager presents, they should integrate the EVM data
into the presentations to give an overall picture of cost, schedule, and technical performance.
3.2.8 Specify EVM Links to Risk Management
Effective EVM includes an integrated risk management process. Early planning during the RFP
stage should include consideration in schedule and cost estimates for reasonable risks. Recognized
risks that are not quantifiable should be considered when developing management reserve (MR)
or unallocated future expense (UFE). As the project advances in the life cycle, linkage between
the risks (recorded in the risk system) and project scope (reflected in the schedule and budget) are
necessary to properly manage. The nature of this linkage should be defined during the early
planning stages of RFP development.
Cost or fixed price incentive contracts, task and delivery orders that have a period of performance
of at least 12 months, contain developmental work scope and are $100 million or greater require a
validated EVMS by the government (unless there is an approved deviation such as for SMD Class-
D discussed in section 1.2 of this handbook). NASA has an overarching Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with DCMA that describes the typical validation and surveillance
responsibilities expected of DCMA when requested. Projects Managers and COs complete the
NASA Form 1430A to delegate responsibility for validation and surveillance of contractor EVMS
to the DCMA. The DCMA will review the contractor’s plan for validation and provide NASA
with a report regarding the plan’s adequacy for the intended contract. When validation is necessary,
the contractor is responsible for scheduling related reviews with the DCMA and NASA customer.
The National Defense Industry Association’s (NDIA) EVMS Intent Guide, the NDIA EVMS
Acceptance Guide and the DoD EVMS Interpretation Guide (EVMSIG) provide additional
information on these reviews. NASA and the Project Manager will provide specialists to augment
the DCMA team as appropriate to accomplish these reviews. If a contract is awarded to a contractor
and DCMA is not involved, the NASA Project Manager will work with the EVM PE for the
appropriate validation approach. See Appendix C of this handbook for more information.
Contracts, task and delivery orders greater than $20 million but less than $100 million are not
required to have a formally validated EVMS. While no validation is required, the contractor is
expected to comply with the requirements listed in EIA-748. The government (NASA Project
Extension of the Contract WBS (CWBS) will be done by the contractor after contract award to reflect
the division of lower level products and services and to describe how these contribute to the higher
level products and services. The reporting of progress, performance, risks, and engineering
evaluations, as well as financial data and variance analyses are based on the CWBS. For assistance
in understanding the appropriate extension of the CWBS, refer to the NASA WBS Handbook at
https://www.nasa.gov/evm/handbooks.
3.3.4 Conduct Integrated Baseline Review
All contracts with EVM are required to have an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) to finalize the
agreement on the baseline and ensure all risks are identified and understood. The Project Manager
and his responsible technical managers, with the support of the EVM FP, should conduct an IBR
within 180 calendar days of contract award as required by NFS 1852.234-2(c). This timeline
applies to the authority to proceed on letter contract awards as well. The project phase is not a
consideration. An IBR must also be conducted within 180 calendar days following the exercise
of significant contract options or 60 days after a major contract modification. The NASA IBR
Handbook (https://www.nasa.gov/evm/handbooks) provides further guidance on the IBR process.
The Project Manager should ensure that training is available to each team member prior to the
IBR. Such training may be conducted jointly with the contractor and should consist of the basics
of EVM and the IBR process. The Project Manager should conduct a workshop just prior to the
IBR to cover the mechanics of the review and examples of specific items to be reviewed.
The objective of an IBR is for all stakeholders to jointly assess the baseline to be used for
performance measurement to ensure complete coverage of the SOW, logical scheduling of the
work activities, adequate resourcing, and identification of inherent risks. This will be accomplished
by evaluating the PMB to ensure it captures the entire technical scope of work, is consistent with
schedule requirements, has adequate resources assigned, and has sound management processes
applied. To facilitate the credibility assessment of the IMS, the Project Manager’s schedule team
may use STAT or an equivalent tool.
3.3.5 Implement Contractor EVMS Surveillance
The Project Manager and CO delegate EVMS surveillance to DCMA via NASA Form 1403A.
Surveillance is conducted by the responsible DCMA office, with the assistance of NASA project
personnel as assigned by the Project Manager. The surveillance responsibilities are described in
the MOU between NASA and the DCMA. The MOU covers EVMS surveillance at a contractor
site or multiple contractor sites. The MOU scope includes EVMS compliance assessment,
validation, and/or evaluation of a contractor’s previously validated EVMS for adequacy. The
MOU also describes duties, responsibilities, products, and methods of cooperation for contract-
specific EVMS surveillance.
The Project Manager may delegate all or part of the items described in the MOU via NASA Form
1430A. A letter of delegation from the CO to the cognizant DCMA office is required to implement
NASA EVM Implementation Handbook Page 3-6
the surveillance, products, and services provided for within the MOU. The letter of delegation
must define the specific delegation of responsibilities and the specific products and services to be
provided. A simple delegation request to implement the MOU is not sufficient.
It is the responsibility of the CO and Project Manager to provide feedback and guidance to the
DCMA office if the services provided by the DCMA are not appropriate for the project’s needs. If
changes are needed to the DCMA services being provided, the Project Manager should formally
document such requests. If delegation to the DCMA is not implemented or is withdrawn, the
Project Manager should provide for the required surveillance through alternative sources and
ensure that resources (e.g., project resources and Center EVM FP) are available and appropriate
for this purpose. See Appendix D, EVMS Surveillance Process, of this handbook for additional
information.
When a delegation is issued, the EVM FP should be notified if any EVMS issues arise. The EVM
FP should remain proactive in working with all organizations, including the DCMA, to resolve
EVMS issues at contractor facilities with NASA contracts. However, the Project Manager remains
responsible for the specific contract.
3.3.6 Conduct EVM Analysis
An IPMR is required when EVM is a requirement. IPMR data should be reported in a timely
manner per the contractual DRD. IPMR data should also be consistent and reconcilable with both
the Monthly Contractor Financial Management Report (NASA Form 533M) and the Quarterly
Contractor Financial Management Report (NASA Form 533Q) if applicable. NPD 9501.1, NASA
Contractor Financial Management Reporting System, states NASA policy and provides additional
information and guidance on this topic.
The first step in the analysis process is to assess the validity of the reported EVM data (contractor
IPMRs) to ensure that the data are complete, accurate and all data anomalies are explained in the
IPMR Format 5. Data errors/anomalies not explained should be documented and provided to the
contractor for resolution with explanation in the next month’s IPMR. However, numerous/severe
errors may result in the rejection of the IPMR and resubmission of a corrected IPMR. These types
of data problems should be rare if an effective surveillance process exists. Empower provides data
validity reports that facilitate the analysis process. Contact your Center EVM FP or the NASA
EVM PE for access and instructions to Empower.
EVM data should be included in all management reviews. Project status based on EVM data should
be reported at the level appropriate for all levels of management and utilized for insight and
management actions. See the Sample Standard Analysis Package on the NASA EVM website at
https://www.nasa.gov/evm/guidance. The Project Manager should understand and emphasize the
importance of the integrated technical, schedule, cost, and risk analyses provided by EVM in
conjunction with other project information to formulate an overall project status. Concentrating on
the technical aspects or technical problems of the project alone will not provide for true integrated
project management. The associated schedule implications, cost drivers, and corresponding risks
should be considered.
Analysis is required when any of the previously established variance thresholds are exceeded.
Variance thresholds must be defined in the DRD. See the NASA IPMR DRD Implementation
Guide at https://www.nasa.gov/evm/guidance for a discussion of different methodologies that can
be used to establish thresholds. Focusing first on these problem areas is an efficient and effective
NASA EVM Implementation Handbook Page 3-7
management technique. The analysis for each variance that exceeds a threshold should address
three areas:
• Root cause: Simply stating the variance is not identifying the root cause. A simple way to
determine root cause is to ask the question, “why?” until it no longer makes sense to do so.
Another test for root cause determination is to quantify the root cause or causes as related
to rates, usage, efficiency, or a combination of these.
• Impact: A root cause will create an impact on the element(s) and should also be evaluated
for the impact on the rest of the project in terms of cost, schedule, technical, or a
combination of these areas. Both impact on the element and impact to the project should
be distinctly stated and quantified.
• Corrective actions and results: For each impact area, a correction action or recovery plan
should be formulated. This plan should contain a description of the actions taken and the
anticipated results in terms of the impacted area or areas, including time, cost, and technical
components. If recovery is not possible, this should be clearly stated. As long as this
variance exceeds the reporting threshold, each subsequent report should include the actual
results of implementing corrective actions.
It is also a recommended practice for the P-CAM to routinely use the aforementioned methodology
to analyze control accounts for potential problems that have not yet exceeded a variance threshold.
The steps described above are intended to assist the project staff in understanding some of the
monthly activities surrounding the EVM analysis process. The level of analysis activity is
dependent upon many variables: the phase of the project, the value of the WBS, the contractor's
performance, analyst availability and experience, the type of contract, and the EVM analysis tools
available. All of these affect the project’s capability to perform a detailed analysis. The Project
Manager should understand the analysis requirements and arrange for the necessary support to
ensure the adequacy of the EVM analysis process. See the NASA EVM System Description for a
more in-depth discussion of EVM analysis methods and techniques. The NDIA IPMD Guide for
Managing Programs Using Predictive Measures, at https://www.ndia.org/divisions/ipmd/division-
guides-and-resources, is also a good resource for additional information on measures and metrics
that can provide valuable predictive indicators for use in developing and implementing effective
mitigation plans.
3.3.7 Participate in Project Activities
The project’s EVM analyst plays a key role on the team, participating in various meetings and activities
depending on the project. It is important that the EVM analyst be involved in several key activities to
ensure that the project management team has accurate information available to make informed
decisions about the project. The Project Manager should ensure EVM analyst participation in project
activities that include but are not limited to:
• Regular project risk meetings to ensure that risks are captured in the estimate at completion
(EAC) and schedules, and to assess the adequacy of the management reserve.
• Change control boards to ensure that changes are incorporated into the PMB and EACs in a
timely manner.
• PPBE process by supplying data to support monthly funds analysis and requirements planning.
Management
Per NSM
WBS & and MdM Cost Models Decisions
Dictionary Financial
System (CADRe,
System
etc.)
Actuals
(ACWP)
Budget
Prelim EVM Cost
Project Analysis/
$ RAM Guidance/ BOE Tool EV Analysis
Plan/SOW Monthly
WAD (C obra) & Reporting
Performance
(E mpow er)
Reports
ETC
OBS IMS
C ontractor
(MS Project ) IP M R
Risks
PPBE
Project
Budget Log
Projects should use the Agency EVMS to meet their EVM requirements. Project Plans should
include the project’s EVM implementation approach and use. See Appendix F of this handbook
for additional instruction on format and content of the EVM Implementation Plan. Project
Managers should engage their Center EVM FP for assistance in developing, documenting, and
implementing the NASA EVM System Description on their projects. With the exception of
establishing the EVMS process described in section 4.2, the activities required of Project Managers
for in-house EVM implementation are very similar to those required for EVM implementation on
contracts described in section 3.
4.2 Basic EVMS Process Description
The Project Manager develops a preliminary WBS early in the Formulation phase of the project.
See Figure 1-2 of this handbook for the NASA project life cycle relationships and EVM related
activities. The Formulation Agreement (FA) is prepared by the project in response to the
Formulation Authorization Document (FAD) to establish the technical and acquisition work that
needs to be conducted during Formulation and defines the schedule and funding requirements
during Phase A and Phase B for that work. The FA includes the schedule for implementing the
EVM capability and serves as the basis for the preliminary project plan. The preliminary project
planning process through Formulation is an iterative process. Once the project is established with
NASA EVM Implementation Handbook Page 4-1
sufficient and stable scope definition via the Project Plan, then both the NASA in-house work
elements and, if required, the contract WBS elements can be adequately planned and established
at the necessary levels of detail. All project efforts (i.e., in-house, contracted, international
partners, university, and any other performing entity efforts) should be included.
The Project Plan is the overall work authorization document that represents an agreement between
the sponsor and the performer on work scope, schedule, and budget. Based on this scope, the WBS
and WBS dictionary are established and maintained. NPR 7120.5, Appendix G, provides a
standard template to begin WBS development for flight projects. Appropriate templates are also
included in NPR 7120.7 and NPR 7120.8. The NASA WBS Handbook
(https://www.nasa.gov/evm/handbooks) contains additional guidance for WBS development for
all projects. The WBS dictionary should be developed as a companion to the WBS and subjected
to the same configuration controls.
The project WBS and WBS dictionary data are used to establish a framework in the systems that
support the EVMS, such as the financial system, scheduling system, risk management system, and
EVM cost tool (Cobra®). Disciplined configuration controls should ensure that this framework
remains consistent and reconcilable in these systems. See section 5.2 for lessons learned on
developing and maintaining the project WBS through the use of the NASA Structure Management
(NSM) system numbering scheme and controlled through NASA’s Metadata Management (MdM)
system. Each Project Manager is ultimately responsible for establishing and controlling the project
WBS baseline. The WBS provides a means of rolling up project data to any desired level for
analysis and oversight, and provides a common reference for all project communication, both
internal and external.
An Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) should also be developed to describe the
organizations responsible for performing the authorized work. Once developed, the OBS should
be cross-referenced to the WBS to ensure responsibility and accountability for planning,
performing, and reporting on all authorized work. The resulting matrix is referred to as a
Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM). The integration of the WBS and OBS creates control
accounts that facilitate schedule and cost performance measurement. The control account is the
primary point for work authorization, work performance management, and work performance
measurement (i.e., where the planned value is established, earned value is assessed, and actual
costs are collected). Each control account is assigned to a P-CAM. The P-CAM is responsible for
ensuring the accomplishment of work in his or her control account and is the focal point for
management control. A sample OBS is shown below. Note that each individual Center should
break down this standard OBS to reflect the organization at a lower level.
Code Description
1 Agency
10 Headquarters
21 Ames Research Center
22 Glenn Research enter
23 Langley Research Center
Armstrong Flight Research
24 Center
51 Goddard Space Flight Center
55 Jet Propulsion Lab
62 Marshall Space Flight Center
A Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS) is developed to aid in the planning process and control
process. An RBS defines the resources that will be used to accomplish the scope of work on the
project. Below is a sample standard RBS that projects can use. Actuals downloaded from the
Agency’s financial system (SAP) using the Actuate report are generated using these standard,
predefined resource codes. The Actual Cost Extraction white paper, located at
https://nen.nasa.gov/web/evm, describes the Actuate cost report that was developed to export
resources from NASA’s accounting system in a format that supports EVMS. These resource codes
would be a natural choice for planning by and collecting actuals. If the Centers wish to use
different resources for budgeting/planning, then the NASA codes could be used for actuals and a
rollup. Having the resources rollup to common parents provides a common basis for reporting
across all Centers.
The rates, hours and calendars that will be used for planning must be defined up front and early in
the planning process. Center CFO organizations develop and maintain labor rates for each Center.
These rates should be used when “pricing out” the civil service labor to ensure that they accurately
reflect each Center’s rate structure. For hours, it is important that a standard number of hours per
year be used in PMB development. Most likely the number of hours would be 2080 since NASA
doesn’t use pools to collect/distribute paid time off. If some Centers use productive hours and
others use calendar hours, then the value of one hour will be different between Centers and
reporting by hours will be compromised. All NASA Centers use the calendar month to represent
the fiscal month, hence the last day of the calendar month is used for collecting monthly actual
cost. It is important for schedule status to align with the fiscal period cut off to ensure that work
performed aligns with actual cost. Note that JPL does not use end of month fiscal periods, so there
will always be a slight disconnect when NASA Centers collaborate with JPL.
The Project Budget Log is established with the project target cost estimate or project budget base
(PBB) for the authorized work to maintain traceability of the project’s total budget and all changes
Accurate time-phasing of planned work is essential for integrating the work scope, cost and
schedule. Budgets should be planned consistent with the details from the schedule to ensure
integration. The IMS is the single integrated source of schedule data that accurately reflects how
the planned work is to be executed. At the core of the IMS is a logic network dataset that should
be maintained in an automated schedule management tool. The dataset consists of tasks and
milestones, task durations, interdependencies or relationships, project constraints, and data coding.
The NASA Schedule Management Handbook contains additional guidance on schedule
development and maintenance.
These budgets equate to the plan and should not be confused with project funds, the monetary
resource provided to execute the plan. The funds requirements are reviewed and updated based on
the project/contract EAC. A compliant EVMS is concerned with the total authorized project scope,
the associated planned budget and schedule, and the resultant PMB used to measure progress of
the total project. An EAC is necessary to understand the anticipated total funding requirements
necessary to complete the project, based on current and expected performance against the plan. It
is the actual cost to date plus the estimated costs to complete the remaining work. To better
understand the EAC, a comprehensive/bottoms-up EAC should be completed annually as a
minimum to support the PPBE process.
Figure 5-2 is an example of a revised funding forecast/requirement based on the EAC. A more
detailed explanation of EAC development and reporting is provided in the NASA EVM System
Description located at the NEN (https://nen.nasa.gov/web/pm/evm).
D CURRENT
AUTHORIZED
O FUNDING BUDGET AT
L COMPLETION (BAC)
L
ESTIMATE TO
A COMPLETE (ETC)
R
PLANNED VALUE
S (BCWS)
EARNED VALUE
ACTUAL COST (BCWP)
(ACWP)
TIME
When establishing the PMB, it is essential that the entire authorized scope (via contract, task order,
approved project plan, etc.) be scheduled and budgeted (time-phased) regardless of fiscal year
(FY) boundaries. If the Project Plan/agreement governing the project is divided into severable
phases then the later phases may be segregated in planning packages. If the Project Plan/agreement
authorizes only the first of several phases in which case authorization for later phases is contingent
on specific events, only the basic period’s work should be scheduled and budgeted within the PBB
or CBB.
Project Managers will need to consider the planned funding by FY as a limiting constraint when
establishing their PMB to avoid major replanning. However, funding perturbations may cause
internal replanning of the baseline work, or, in the case of significant funding cuts, may necessitate
an authorized change to the PMB. The use of planning packages for work beyond the current FY
may allow more flexibility in maintaining a valid PMB.
5.4 Management Reserve Planning and Usage
All projects contain some element of risk and should identify a portion of the authorized project
budget value, the PBB, for unplanned activity within the project scope. EIA-748 provides for the
establishment and use of MR to handle these execution risks. Unanticipated control account
changes such as unexpected growth within the currently authorized work scope, rate changes, risk
handling, or changes in schedule are circumstances representative of situations that may result in
the determination that budgets assigned to a P-CAM are inadequate (i.e., in scope to the project
but out of scope to the control accounts) and may benefit from applying MR in the replanning
process.
The proper use and control of MR not only complies with the EIA-748 guidelines, but is also a
project management best practice. MR should not be confused with the project UFE which is a
The following are recommended SOW inputs for inclusion in the RFP. For intra-agency
agreements, the term “supplier” may be used in lieu of “contractor” and “agreement” in lieu of
“contract.”
Project Management Reviews. The contractor shall conduct Project Management Review (PMR)
meetings at mutually agreed upon dates and locations. During the reviews, the contractor shall
present integrated cost, schedule, and technical performance status. Integrated Product Team leads
or functional managers shall include cost information in discussions of schedule status, technical
performance, and risk using earned value management as an integrating tool. The following shall
be addressed: Cost/schedule trends, significant cost/schedule technical variances, projected
impacts, quantified risk assessments, and corrective action plans. (DRD PMR)
Contractor Integrated Performance Measurement. The contractor shall establish, maintain,
and use in the performance of this contract, an Earned Value Management System (EVMS). The
correlation and integration of these systems and processes shall provide for early indication of cost
and schedule problems, and their relation to technical achievement. (DRD IPMR)
Integrated Master Schedule (IMS). The contractor shall develop and maintain an IMS by
logically networking detailed program activities. The schedule shall contain the planned events
and milestones, accomplishments, criteria, and activities from contract award to the completion of
the requirement. (DRD IPMR)
Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs). The contractor shall present its performance measurement
baseline plan to the Government within six months after contract award, and subsequently, when
required, following major changes to the baseline. The Government will verify during the IBR,
and follow-on IBRs when required that the contractor has established and maintains a reliable
performance measurement baseline. The contractor will ensure that the baseline includes the entire
contract technical scope of work consistent with contract schedule requirements, and has adequate
resources assigned. The contractor will assure the Government that effective earned value
methods are used to accurately status contract cost, schedule, and technical performance. The
contractor will perform a self-assessment of the cost and schedule risk for the IBR. The IBR will
be used to achieve a mutual understanding of the baseline plan, cost and schedule risk, and the
underlying management processes used for planning and controlling the project.
1. Overview
The EVMS acceptance process applies to those NASA suppliers that require EVMS compliance
and acceptance (contracts ≥ $100 million or >$150M if SMD Cat3/Class-D) when the supplier
does not have a current EVMS validation. There are three steps for evaluating compliance: (1)
assess whether the contractor’s EVM System Description adequately documents how its system
meets the intent of the EIA-748 Guidelines, (2) evaluate the contractor’s ability to demonstrate the
EVMS implementation as described by the EVM System Description and supplemental
procedures, and (3) ensure the EVMS is providing timely, accurate, reliable and auditable data.
Compliance is determined based upon the results of all three steps.
The OMB and NASA recognize the DCMA acceptance of contractor EVMS compliance. NASA
employs DCMA for the contractor EVMS acceptance process. NASA has a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with DCMA (located at https://www.nasa.gov/evm/mou) that assigns
responsibility for the validation and surveillance of a contractor’s EVMS to DCMA. An overview
of the approach for validating a contractor’s EVMS when DCMA is delegated contractor EVMS
acceptance is shown in Figure G.1-1. See DCMA EVMS Compliance Procedures (current
revision) at https://www.dcma.mil/HQ/EVMS/ for additional instruction.
Process Steps Planning Implementation Review Assessment Acceptance
Assign Review
Prepare
Acceptance Director NO YES Compliance
(RD)/Provide Accept
Authority comments on
Recognition
Document
(DCMA) Contractor
EVMS plan
Submit
CER
Compliance RD Prepare Conduct Verify
Report
Evaluation EVMS CER Monitor EVMS Progress Corrective
Plan/ Progress/ CER Assessment Actions/
Review (CER) Establish Readiness (PA)/Conduct Prepare CER
Team CER Team CER Report
Issue DCMA
NASA Project EVMS Concur/Issue
Manager/ Delegation/ Contract
Award Contract/ Compliance
Contracting Approve Document
Officer (CO) Contractor
EVMS Plan
Prepare/Execute
Corrective
Demonstrate
EVM System Execute EVMS
Knowledge and
Action Plans
Plan/Contract; Conduct Self (CAPs)
Owner/User Establish EVMS & Assessment/ Use of EVMS Implement
(Contractor) Performance Correct During PA and Surveillance/
Measurement Deficiencies CER Continuous
Finalize Surveillance
Baseline (PMB) Improvement
& System Revision
Procedure
For those suppliers that DCMA is not delegated EVMS acceptance such as Civilian agencies,
universities, not for profits, laboratories, one-time contracts, etc., then NASA is responsible for
Prior to contract award, the NASA CO with assistance from the SEB, the EVM FP and DCMA (if
required), reviews the contractor proposed EVMS Implementation Plan required to be submitted
with the proposal. Once the contract is awarded, the contractor executes the EVMS
Implementation Plan. The CO for the NASA Project Office delegates EVMS system acceptance
and surveillance to DCMA. The DCMA will assign the Review Director who will prepare the
CER plan jointly with the contractor and the NASA Project Office. This plan will address the
applicable interim reviews such as the Progress Assessment Review and the CER.
The primary products from this step include the contractor EVMS Implementation Plan, the CO
delegation letter to DCMA and the initial CER Plan.
The CO with support from the Project Manager is responsible for ensuring the contractor’s EVMS
compliance with the EIA-748 and contractual compliance. If the NASA Project Office and CO do
not delegate system acceptance and surveillance to DCMA (may not be appropriate for Civilian
Agencies, universities, etc.) or DCMA is unable to accept the delegation, then the Project Manager
is responsible for requesting the assistance of the Center EVM FP and notifying the appropriate
The contractor executes the EVMS Implementation Plan which includes the schedule with
resources assigned to ensure proper and effective design, documentation, implementation, and
maintenance of the management system that complies with EIA-748. The contractor establishes
EVM policy followed by the development and implementation of an EVMS. There are several
approaches to documenting the processes involved in the structure of an EVMS. A typical
approach is a single document referred to as a “system description” that describes how the program
management processes and procedures meet the intent of EIA-748.
Implementation of the EVMS occurs during the system design and documentation process. As the
processes are implemented, feedback on the effectiveness and accuracy of system documentation
and procedures is important to ensure that needed improvements are incorporated in a timely
manner. Keep in mind that the contractor is obligated to implement the planning and control
processes to ensure establishment of a reliable preliminary PMB and support the IBR required
within 180 calendar days after contract award.
The contractor should also conduct internal training in both the basic concepts of EVM and specific
process elements of the EVMS that includes unique project management aspects of the system,
forms designed for implementation, and process oriented interfaces with other internal systems.
This training should occur early in the implementation phase.
During this phase, the CER team will monitor the contractor’s progress toward implementing the
EVMS, assess the contractor’s readiness to demonstrate a fully integrated EVMS based on the
results of the contractor’s internal self-assessment and will also finalize the CER Plan.
3.3 Review
The purpose of the CER (Validation Review) is to conduct a formal assessment of the contractor’s
proposed management system to verify that the system being reviewed meets the intent of EIA-
748. The primary objectives are:
• Evaluate the management system capabilities against the EIA-748 guidelines
• Assess the description of the management system to determine if it adequately describes the
management processes demonstrated during the review, and
• Evaluate the application of the EVMS on the contract being reviewed.
The review consists of system documentation reviews, data traces and discussions with contractor
personnel (Control Account Managers, Functional Managers, Business Manager, Project
Manager, etc.). The system documentation reviews and data traces are typically performed prior
to the onsite review which consists of discussions with the contractor personnel, etc. During this
process step, the contractor demonstrates to the team how the EVMS is structured and used in
actual operation. Major activities include:
During this step, the team prepares a written report documenting the activities of the review and
the results. The team’s findings will include actions that are required prior to obtaining validation
of compliance. The report will reflect how the team verified compliance with the guidelines, and
that the described system was properly and effectively implemented on the contract(s) under
review.
3.4 Acceptance
Before a final decision on acceptance is made, the contractor should provide documentation that
all corrective actions for DRs have been completed. The Acceptance Authority reviews the CER
Report and determines that the contractor’s EVMS complies with EIA-748 and the contract,
project or program is using the compliant EVMS. The EVMS compliance recognition is a letter
or compliance recognition document that clearly indicates the system reviewed complies with
EIA-748.
Once the acceptance document is issued, the contractor is required to maintain the system and
implement EVM on contracts requiring EVMS. The contractor should notify the Acceptance
Authority issuing system compliance recognition when revisions are made to the EVMS (policy,
process, procedures, or practices). Continued EVMS compliance is determined through
surveillance.
After acceptance, the DCMA will perform system surveillance as delegated to verify the system
is being maintained and used by the contractor. For contracts where NASA led validation reviews
occurred, the NASA EVM PE is responsible, with support from the NASA Project Office and
applicable Center EVM FP, for the surveillance process. See Appendix D for an overview of the
surveillance process.
4. EVMS Reciprocity
NASA supports OMB’s efforts to eliminate duplicative and costly EVMS reviews per the OMB
memo dated October 23, 2015, Subject: Reducing the Burden of Certifying Earned Value
Management Systems (EVMS). NASA currently recognizes contractors’ EVMS acceptance by
DCMA and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). NASA is pursuing reciprocal agreements with
DCMA and other agencies for those contractors where NASA has conducted the CER and
accepted the EVMS as the Cognizant Federal Agency. NASA’s EVM PE maintains the
compliance review information (e.g., reports and findings). Reciprocal agreements will be posted
to the NASA EVM website at https://www.nasa.gov/evm/regulations in accordance with the
reciprocal MOUs.
1.1 Purpose
Surveillance is the process of reviewing the health of the approved EVMS process applied to
projects. The purpose is to ensure the EVMS is effectively used to manage cost, schedule, and
technical performance and provide reliable performance management information. An effective
surveillance process ensures the EVMS is maintained over time and effectively used on subsequent
applications. This appendix describes the surveillance process for NASA projects/contracts with
EVM requirements and assigns roles and responsibilities to assess the system’s operation.
NASA’s approach leverages the NDIA IPMD Surveillance Guide (current revision) to the extent
practical. In addition to the goals identified in the NDIA IPMD Surveillance Guide (Current
revision), additional goals of NASA’s surveillance process are to:
1. Maintain confidence in the contractor’s EVMS validated and accepted by NASA to support
EVMS recognition (reciprocity) by other government entities.
2. Leverage DCMA’s risk-based and data driven surveillance approach to extent practical
(see DCMA EVMS Compliance Procedures (current revision) at
https://www.dcma.mil/HQ/EVMS/) .
3. Optimize resources/minimize duplication by leveraging contractor internal surveillance
process/products and Surveillance Reviews (SRs) to better assess risks.
4. Increase awareness of areas where improvement in the EVMS provides more
timely/reliable decision making data and minimize EVMS cost.
1.2 Scope
Surveillance is performed on major acquisitions that meet the threshold for applying an accepted
EVMS (see Section 1.2, Figure 1-1 NASA EVM Requirements of this handbook). It includes in-
house efforts as well as major contracts with EVM requirements.
1.3 Applicable Definitions
Relevant definitions from the NDIA IPMD Surveillance Guide are as follows:
Joint Surveillance: Project surveillance conducted jointly by the supplier and customer (e.g., for
contractor’s this is typically performed by the contractor’s EVMS organization, the customer and
the cognizant DCMA if applicable).
Organization: A customer or supplier entity, including agencies responsible for management of
internal projects using EVMS, prime contractors, subcontractors and inter-organizational transfers
(IOT), with EVMS ownership and oversight responsibility for one or more sites.
Project Surveillance: The process of reviewing an individual project’s implementation of the
organization’s accepted EVMS process. For example, the OCFO conducts a project EVM
Assessment in conjunction with independent evaluations of projects during project life cycle
reviews (LCRs) to support KDPs.
Surveillance Plan: An annual plan that identifies the projects to be included in surveillance
reviews, as well as the frequency and scope of the individual surveillance visits planned for each
project included in the annual plan.
Title Description
Nasa Project EVM Assessment Prepared by the EVM PE with input from the Strategic Investments
Schedule Division (SID), Mission Directorates, etc. Identifies the LCR/KDP by
Phase and FY for each applicable project.
Project EVM Assessment Plan Prepared by the EVM Subject Matter Expert (SME) assigned by the
EVM PE. A plan is prepared for each LCR/KDP to define purpose,
scope, schedule, data/documentation requirements, etc.
Project EVM Assessment Report Prepared by the EVM SME with concurrence of the EVM PE. The
report documents the EVM Assessments, results, CARs, etc.
Surveillance Plan (Contractor) Prepared by the EVM SME assigned by the EVM PE. The plan
identifies the surveillance activities to be conducted by the NASA
SME for contractors with a NASA accepted EVMS.
Surveillance Report (Contractor) Prepared by the EVM SME to document results of Surveillance
Reviews, CARs, etc.
Corrective Action Requests (CARs) Documents deficiencies that require corrective actions.
Requirements: Any waiver request submitted to NASA headquarters OCFO must include the
following information:
1. A description of the management system that will be used in the performance of the program
or project. This could be captured in documentation such as a program or project plan, Center
management practices, an EVM Implementation Plan, EVM System Description or other
program/project documentation.
2. A matrix that correlates each guideline in EIA-748 to the corresponding process in the program
or project written management procedures. This is referred to as a Compliance Review
Checklist (CRC) and can be found in Figure E-1 below.
a. For each of the 32 guidelines, state whether or not the program or project’s
documented management procedures meet the intent of the guideline.
b. Provide a corresponding reference to the program or project’s written
management procedures for each guideline.
c. For each guideline that is not met, describe a plan for compliance or rationale
describing why the guideline will not be met.
3. The proposed procedures for application of the EVMS requirements to suppliers. This could
take several forms including an EVM Implementation Plan, EVM clause(s), DRDs for the
IPMR, WBS, and other EVM-type reporting, intra-agency work agreements, Program or
Project plan, Acquisition Plan or other.
4. A point of contact for additional information or assistance to support review of the request.
1. Purpose: The purpose of this template is to provide guidance and instruction on a suggested
format and information to be included in the Project Plan when EVM is required.
2. Background: In accordance with NPR 7120.5, NASA Space Flight Program and Project
Management Requirements, NPR 7120.7, NASA Information Technology and Institutional
Infrastructure Program and Project Management Requirements, and NPR 7120.8, NASA
Research and Technology Program and Project Management Requirements, major projects
prepare a Project Plan that provides an agreement between the Project Manager, Program
Manager, and Center Director, etc., on the scope, implementation approach, project operational
environment, and the baseline commitments of the project. The Project Plan is updated over
the project life cycle in response to changes in program requirements on the project or the
baseline commitments. Execution of the Project Plan is the responsibility of the Project
Manager. The Plan includes accompanying stand-alone plans such as Safety and Mission
Assurance, Risk Management, System Engineering Management, Software Management,
Security Plans, Technical/Cost/Schedule and Control Plan, etc., summarized in section 3,
which collectively provide the guidance and control for the project.
3. Project Plan Requirements: The Project Plan Template is included as an appendix in each of
the NPRs cited above. For example, in NPR 7120.5, Appendix H, Project Plan Template,
section 3.1, Technical, Schedule, and Cost Control Plan, projects are required to describe how
it plans to control project requirements, technical design, schedule, and cost to achieve the
program requirements on the project to include EVM. The EVM implementation approach can
be included in this section or described in a separate control plan and referenced in this section.
This control plan describes the project’s implementation of EVM including:
a. How the PMB will be developed and maintained for the project and how UFE will be
established and controlled;
b. The methods the project will use to authorize the work (e.g. work agreements) and to
communicate changes for the scope, schedule, and budget of all suppliers; how the plan
is updated as make-buy decisions and agreements are made;
c. The process to be used by the project to communicate the time-phased levels of funding
that have been forecasted to be made available to each supplier;
d. For the class of suppliers not required to use EVM, the schedule and resource
information required of the suppliers to establish and maintain a baseline and to
quantify schedule and cost variances; how contractor performance reports will be
required; and
e. How the cost and schedule data from all partners/suppliers will be integrated to form a
total project-level assessment of cost and schedule performance.
f. How the project plans to report technical, schedule, and cost status to the program
manager, including the frequency
g. A description of any additional tools necessary to implement the project’s control
processes (e.g., the requirements management system, project scheduling system,