FAC-P/PM IT Core Plus Management Competencies: Managing IT Projects

The FAC-P/PM IT Core-Plus specialization program addresses the specialized knowledge and abilities unique to IT projects. OMB’s Office of eGovernment and Information Technology highlighted the importance of strong P/PMs in managing Information Technology (IT) programs. You will focus on the management performance outcomes needed to effectively manage IT projects, align the acquisition process with the technology cycle, and achieve operational efficiency. You will learn these skills through robust content, Federal examples, and hands-on exercises.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss project management considerations for federal IT projects
• Evaluate cost-effective contracting and technology solutions during acquisition planning
• Illustrate the criticality of user/mission requirements in IT project management
• Forecast the impact of budgetary decisions on modular development
• Discuss key technical management processes and tools used in systems engineering
• Implement test and evaluation practices to ensure project quality
• Apply tenets of Total Life Cycle Logistics Management to support a systems design
• Describe how to effectively closeout an IT project
• Create an on-the-job (OTJ) action plan

Course Topics

IT Project Management Overview

• Projects
• Project Management
• IT Projects
• U.S. Government IT Project Success
• Federal Acquisition Process
• Key Regulations and Policies
• Enterprise Mission and Architecture

Acquisition Planning

• Acquisition Strategy and Acquisition Plan
• Acquisition Planning Overview
• Acquisition Planning Phase Management Processes
• Acquisition Planning Process
• Market Research for IT Projects
• Acquisition Artifacts
• IT Acquisition Contract Types
• Using Fixed-Price Contracts for Adaptive Projects
• Exercise: Contract Selection and Planning
• Contracting Tools and Strategies for Modular Development

IT Project Management Processes

• Structures and Stakeholders
• Problem-Requirement-Solution-Deliverable (PRSD) Model
• IT Project Requirements Development
• Planning and Eliciting Requirements
• Managing Requirements
• Prioritizing Requirements
• Requirements Allocation and Traceability
• Configuration and Change Management
• Risk Management

IT Project Budgeting & Cost Estimating

• Principles of Estimating
• Cost Estimating Techniques
• Project Costs
• IT Project Budgeting for Modular Development

Systems Engineering & IT Project Execution

• Systems Engineering
• Systems Engineering Leadership and Management
• IT Product Development Approaches
• IT Project Technical Management
• System Reengineering and Reevaluation
• Decision Analysis
• Design Considerations

Managing IT Project Performance & Quality Assurance

• IT Project Performance Management
• Measuring IT Project Performance
• Earned Value Management for Adaptive Development
• Project Performance Monitoring
• IT Project Performance Monitoring and Controlling
• Implementing IT Project Deliverable Quality Control
• Exercise: Determine an Appropriate TDD Design Method
• Design and Implementation Correction
• Procurement/Acquisition Control

Life-Cycle Management & Logistics

• Life Cycles
• Implementing Total Life Cycle Systems Management (TLCSM)
• Life Cycle Planning
• IT Project Life Cycle Logistics

IT Project Closing

• IT Project Closing Overview
• Project Performance Evaluation
• Variance Analysis
• Team Performance Evaluations
• Closing Procedures
• Lessons Learned and Team Debrief
• Closing in an Adaptive/Agile Environment
• Experience and Artifact Archiving