2009-EV001

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Integrating Systems Engineering with Earned Value Management

EVM/Schedules Track

Downloadable Files:

EV001-Barker

Abstract:

This seminar explores the inter-relationship of system engineering (SE) and earned value management (EVM). Often, project control specialists see the planning of the cost and schedule baselines as an isolated activity disassociated from the technical or engineering aspects. This type of thinking can significantly hamstring the development of the earned value baseline and likewise jeopardize the ability to control project scope. This lesson explains basic SE terms and concepts and shows similarities between SE and EVM. Hands-on requirements generation and WBS building exercises in this seminar help students recognize the value of linking the two disciplines together. It is desired that students with an EVM background attending this seminar will recognize the value of building their next work breakdown structure and performance measurement baseline side by side with lead program engineers. Similarly, engineers attending this seminar will hopefully think twice before holding project planning and/or status meetings without the “EVM person” present.

Author:

Patrick K. Barker
Pat Barker is a Principal in MCR’s Corporate Technical Directorate. The group is responsible for Integrated Program Management support across MCR. As a Principal, Pat leads a variety of small, special-purpose teams and provides consultant efforts and workshops for Industry and Federal Agencies, including DoD programs. Pat’s primary concentration is on interdisciplinary tasks and case study development, particularly those linking EVM, Risk, System Engineering, Cost and Schedule. He currently leads MCR’s efforts to enable small to mid-sized commercial companies establish Earned Value Management Systems and plays a key role in helping a major FAA program implement and maintain a EVMS implementation within the context of an advanced, web-based EVM tool architecture. Prior to joining MCR Pat has over 20 years’ leadership, training and analysis experience in military and civilian positions, to include program office team leadership, modeling and simulation development and policy guidance in various DoD and civilian capacities. Academic experience includes a 4-year tour as an Assistant Professor of History at the USAF Academy and extensive background in training and course development for almost two decades. During his 20-year USAF career, Mr. Barker was also an instructor B-52 electronic warfare officer and a functional manager in technology warning for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). He also continues as a trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance, providing workshops to youth sports coaches across the Washington DC metro region.
Education: Pat holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Arts in History, both from Lehigh University. He has begun PhD coursework in Business Leadership.
Professional Memberships: Pat is a member of Project Management Institute (PMI) and the International Council on System Engineering (INCOSE). He is also a member of the National High School Coaches Association, Positive Coaching Alliance and the American Baseball Coaches Association.