DRS Implements EVMS using Primavera and Deltek Tools

Client Situation

DRS Power and Controls Systems was expanding their business in the US Department of Defense arena and had a requirement to demonstrate compliance with the EVMS guidelines of ANSI/EIA 748.  At the same time, DRS was undertaking various initiatives to improve internal efficiency and to improve the control of resources and costs in order to improve competitiveness and improve profitability of the division.

The Vice President of Business Planning wanted to implement an Enterprise Project Management (EPM) system that would also support Earned Value Management System requirements as well as support improved enterprise-wide resource planning and management.   He turned to Pinnacle for support and guidance.  

He asked us to to help plan for the implementation of an EVMS capability using Primavera's Cost Management tool, and for improved reporting using Deltek's wInsight product.

Specifically, DRS asked Pinnacle to help them:

• Implement the new EVM system using Primavera Project Management, Cost Management and Deltek wInsight
• Review existing EVM Systems Description and EV process documentation for consistency with the new software tools
• Develop comprehensive, repeatable procedures for using the Primavera EV tools
• Design and develop interfaces with DRS financial systems for monthly EVMS cost collection 
• Develop a standard set of EV management reports and formal government reports (CPR Formats 1 – 4)
• Provide training in EVMS concepts, processes and the new tools for DRS staff

Pinnacle Approach

Pinnacle worked with DRS to tackle these challenges in a staged approach involving several major steps:

1. Establish project planning and control standards and procedures

Pinnacle met with the DRS Program Management team to define a standardized approach to developing and maintaining projects including:

• Standardizing WBS structures across similar projects
• Guidelines for identifying Control Accounts and Work Packages
• Standard naming and numbering conventions for projects, WBS elements and detail tasks
• Guidelines for linking detail schedules to Work Packages and Control Accounts
• Standards for application of various EV methods (discrete, LOE, apportioned effort)
• Guidelines for planning projects in Primavera to ensure compliance with these EV policies and standards
• Standard approach for baseline planning and maintenance

2. Configure Primavera scheduling and EVMS tools

Pinnacle then configured the Primavera tools to support the agreed EVMS standards and policies.  This included:

• New codes and user defined fields to map information from Project Manager to Cost Manager
• Special codes to identify Control Account and Work Packages
• Codes to assign Work Package EV methods
• Mapping of Charge Numbers for actual cost collection

3.  Develop a process for updating the Primavera IMS from Microsoft Project

We developed a procedure integrating multiple MS Project schedules into the Primavera Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and for updating the IMS monthly based on inputs from the lower-level schedules.

4. Develop strategy for actual cost collection and financial systems integration 

Pinnacle worked with the DRS IT and Finance departments to develop a strategy for actual cost collection and helped DRS implement the actual cost interfaces to the EVMS.   We also worked with the Finance department to develop comprehensive baseline, forecast and actual rate tables to accurately process cost data in Cost Manager.

5. Develop new EVMS processes and procedures 

Pinnacle developed customized process documentation to guide Project Coordinators through the monthly data processing cycle using Primavera and wInsight.

6. Develop and deliver role-based EVMS process training

Pinnacle used the process documentation to deliver customized training to DRS-PCT’s Project Coordinators.  One-on-one training was used to teach Finance personnel how to maintain the rate tables in Primavera Cost Manager.

7. Improve and extend EVMS capabilities of Primavera tools

In order to complete the EVMS system for DRS, Pinnacle developed a set of custom reports from the Primavera EVMS data.  The primary report was a flexible Control Account Plan (CAP) report.

In addition, Pinnacle developed custom utilities to allow for full support of Level of Effort (LOE) and Apportioned Effort EV methods, which was not supported by default in the standard tools.

Finally, Pinnacle created a custom Data Audit Utility that screens the schedule data to unsure valid data is passed from the schedule to the EVMS Cost Management module.  The Data Audit Utility helps reduces errors, speeds up processing time and allows for consistent results.

8. Establish EVM reporting and analsysis with Deltek wInsight

Pinnacle helped DRS establish the monthly Deltek wInsight update cycle and provided training in the wInsight products to help DRS use the tool for monthly CPR reporting and data analysis.

9. Provide EVMS Mentoring and Support

Pinnacle worked with the Project Coordinators to review project schedules, to improve the baseline plans and to prepare for import to Cost Manager. Our consultants provided one-on-one mentoring and support to DRS personnel in Milwaukee, WI and Danbury, CT to as they became familiar with the new EVMS processes and tools.

Results Achieved

With Pinnacle's support, DRS was able to implement a comprehensive EVMS using Primavera and Deltek tools.  They were able to successfully an Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBR) and to generate required CPR reports on several new contracts.

The new processes and procedures have helped DRS Project Coordinators to rapidly achieve a repeatable monthy EVMS process.

Management use Deltek wInsight to review program performance, analyze variance trends and to highlight potential problem areas.  The EVM data is used to validate resource forecasts as part of the company's enterprise resource planning process.

Senior management and DRS customers now have confidence in the consistency and reliability of the EVMS information.

About DRS

DRS Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A., is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime contractors worldwide. Focused on defense technology, the Company develops, manufactures and supports a broad range of systems for mission critical and military sustainment requirements, as well as homeland security.

Incorporated in 1968, DRS has served the defense industry for 39 years. The Company holds leading market positions in thermal imaging devices, combat display workstations, electronic sensor systems, power systems, rugged computer systems, air combat training systems, mission recorders, deployable flight incident recorders, environmental control systems, telecommunication systems, aircraft loaders, military trailers and shelters, and integrated logistics support services.