PharmAthene Implements EVMS to Manage BioDefense Program

Client Situation

PharmAthene, a leading bio-technology firm based in Annapolis, Maryland had just won a major government contract with the U.S. Army Space and Missle Command.  Under the contract, Pharmathene would continue advanced advanced development of the company’s broad spectrum chemical nerve agent prophylaxis, Protexia®.

For the first time, Pharmathene would be required to meet the DoD EVMS requirements and would have to develop a program baseline and be prepared to pass a government Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) within 90 days of contract award. 

The CFO and Business Manager were concerned about the company's ability to implement an EVMS process in that time frame, so they called upon Pinnacle and our business partner, Performance Management Associates (PMA). Our challenge was to define and implement an effective EVMS process, supported by EVMS software tools, and to deploy the new process to the PharmAthene program management office (PMO) and Control Account Managers (CAMs) in order to support the contract and IBR requirements.

Pinnacle Approach

Pinnacle started with a preliminary requirements analysis of PharmAthene's situation and readiness to adopt EVMS.   Based on our analysis, we recommended a 3-pronged approach to reduce risk and ensure a successful implementation.

1. The PMA/Pinnacle team would work with PharmAthene to develop an effective EVMS process, suited to the needs of the project and the organization.
2. We would help them select a new set of EVMS tools and would help them implement the new tools in their environment.
3. We would develop and deliver a tailored training program for PharmAthene staff in the new EVMS processes and tools.

Based on the requirements analysis, Pinnacle recommended a solution involving:

• Microsoft Project for project planning and scheduling
• Deltek Cobra for Earned Value data management
• Deltek wInsight for EVM data analysis and reporting

The Pinnacle team worked with PharmAthene to implement, configure and integrate these tools with the PharmAthene financial systems.

We provided customized training in these tools that was tailored to the Pharmathene processes and roles

We worked with the PMO and Control Account Managers (CAMs) to:

• Develop the program WBS
• Identify Control Accounts, Work Packages and Planning Packages
• Develop standards for Earned Value measurement methods
• Develop the initial program schedule baseline
• Develop Control Account Plans
• Develop the Performance Measurement Baseline (PMB)
• Work through the first few monthly cycles of the full EVMS process

We then worked with the PharmAthene PMO and CAMs to help them prepare for an Integrated Baseline Review conducted by the Army customer.  Our senior consultants provided mentoring to CAMs and the PMO to ensure that they fully understood the new EVMS processes and could operate the new systems.

Results Achieved

With help from the PMA/Pinnacle team, PharmAthene has successfully implemented their very first EVMS and have successfully passed their government IBR.

Pharmathene CAMs now have immediate visibility into the performance of their Control Accounts and can identify variances that might indicate potential problems.

Senior management has overall visibility into project cost/schedule performance and can use the EV metrics to focus attention on the most critical areas.

The company has earned the confidence of their Government customer and now has the EVM foundation in place to compete and win future government business.

About Pharmathene

PharmAthene, a privately-held biotechnology company, was formed to meet the critical needs of the United States by developing biodefense products. PharmAthene is dedicated to the rapid development of important and novel biotherapeutics to address biological pathogens and chemicals that may be used as weapons of bioterror. PharmAthene’s lead programs include Valortim™ for the prevention and treatment of anthrax infection and Protexia® for the prevention and treatment of morbidity and mortality associated with exposure to chemical nerve agents. For more information on PharmAthene, please visit www.PharmAthene.com.