I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Headquarters U.S. Air Force 1 Improving Air Force Scheduling Processes and Tools – A Demonstration Fred Meyer, AF PM&AE Luis Contreras, AzTech Inc 04 March 2010

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Today’s Discussion The importance of a good schedule Scheduling challenges Collaborating with Industry Generally Accepted Scheduling Principles (GASP) Using GASP as an assessment tool Schedule assessment tool demonstration 2

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e 3 OSD Voice Dr. Ashton Carter, USD for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics “Time is money…We need more programs with a philosophy of meeting a strict schedule.” “I am looking for earlier ways of assessing programs than waiting for the Nunn-McCurdy bell to ring.” “My approach to troubled programs is to go at them one-by-one, solve the underlying problems, get them on track. And if they cannot be gotten on track, face the music. If a program is not performing, we need the discipline to end it.”

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e 4 The Importance of a Good Schedule Schedules are Forward-looking management tools with predictive capabilities Critical path(s) are defined Dates are forecast Float/slack provides a management metric The foundation for all baseline planning and integration Resources are tied to schedules to form cost baselines Subsystem data is captured (MRP, labor, material) Subcontractor efforts are integrated

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e 5 Scheduling Challenges Contractor schedules are not properly constructed or maintained No standardization Cannot be used to effectively manage Used as a report, not a management tool PMs do not understand how to assess contractor schedules Lack of scheduling expertise across DoD Little practical training available Analytical tools are not used or understood Fixing the problems requires Commitment at all levels to reinvigorate scheduling capability Using schedule data to inform management decisions A standardized Industry/DoD approach to scheduling Tailored training for all levels of acquisition

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e 6 Meeting the Challenge -- Collaboration with Industry The National Defense Industrial Association-Industrial Committee for Program management (NDIA-ICPM) was established as a collaborative Industry and Government forum whose purpose is to address common program related issues. NDIA-ICPM membership includes senior leadership from Industry, OSD and the Services NDIA-ICPM recognized the need for consistency and standardized planning practices and established the Program Planning and Scheduling Subcommittee (PPSS)

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e 7 Revitalizing Air Force Scheduling Capabilities In parallel with PPSS initiatives, PM&AE is developing a comprehensive IMS assessment instruction and related training Provides a consistent approach to schedule assessment Ensures Program Managers and their teams understand the health of their schedules and their program's critical path Results in more robust program schedules that are continually improved over time AF PM&AE has begun to use the GASP as a framework for developing quick-look schedule assessments Concise Easily understood Provides pros, cons and suggested improvements Assigns actions for program office and industry to work collaboratively

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e A valid schedule provides reasonable & credible information based on realistic logic, durations, & dates. 1. Complete: The schedule captures the entire discrete, authorized project effort from start through completion. 2. Traceable: The schedule logic is horizontally & vertically integrated with cross-references to key documents & tools. 3. Transparent: The schedule provides visibility to assure it is complete, traceable, has documented assumptions, & provides full disclosure of program status & forecast. 4. Statused: The schedule has accurate progress through the status date. 5. Predictive: The schedule provides meaningful critical paths & accurate forecasts for remaining work through program completion. An effective schedule is useful, helps align time-phased resources, & is built & maintained using a controlled process. 6. Usable: The schedule is an indispensable tool for timely & effective management decisions & actions. 7. Resourced: The schedule aligns with actual & projected resource availability. 8. Controlled: The schedule is built, baselined, & maintained using a stable, repeatable, & documented process. GASP Essential Element Statements

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Complete Schedules represent authorized discrete effort for the entire contract, with essential subcontracted or other external work or milestones integrated yet distinguishable from internal work. Traceable Schedules reflect realistic & meaningful network logic that horizontally & vertically integrates the likely sequence for program execution. Schedules are coded to relate tasks or milestones to source or dependent documents, tools, & responsible organizations. Transparent Schedules provide full disclosure of program status & forecast & include documented ground rules, assumptions, & methods for building & maintaining schedules. Documentation includes steps for analyzing the critical paths, incorporating risks & opportunities, & generating schedule health & performance metrics. Statused Schedules reflect consistent & regular updates of completed work, interim progress, achievable remaining durations relative to the status date, & accurately maintained logic relationships. Predictive Schedules accurately forecast the likely completion dates & impacts to the program baseline plan through valid network logic & achievable task durations from the status date through program completion. GASP Narratives for Valid Schedules

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Usable Schedules produce meaningful metrics for timely and effective communication and tracking and improving performance, mitigating issues and risks, and capturing opportunities. Schedules are robust and functional to help stakeholders manage different levels, groupings, or areas as needed. Schedules are developed and maintained at a size, level, and complexity such that they are timely and enable effective decision-making. Resourced Resources align with the schedule baseline & forecast to enable stakeholders to view & assess the time-phased labor & other costs required to achieve project baseline & forecast targets. Each program is unique & uses varying techniques to load, baseline, & maintain the time-phased resources at levels that are practical & produce meaningful & accurate projections. When resource-loaded schedules are used they enable flexible updates to resource requirements as conditions change. Whether or not resource-loaded schedules are used, cost & schedule data are integrated for internal & external reporting. Controlled Schedules are baselined & maintained using a rigorous, stable, & repeatable process. Schedule additions, deletions, & updates conform to this process & result in valid & accurate results for sound schedule configuration control & maintenance. GASP Narratives for Effective Schedules

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP / 14 Point Assessment Comparison 11

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e BACKUP

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment

I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e GASP Quick-Look Schedule Assessment