First Federal Agency Roundtable on Total Cost Management Conducted
May 10, 2012
AACE International sponsored its first Federal Agency Roundtable April 13, 2012 at George Washington University’s Marvin Center, Washington, DC. Organized by the AACE International Government Liaison Committee, the Federal Agency Roundtable brought together selected federal officials and federal space support contractors for a discussion of Total Cost Management (TCM) topics such as Earned Value Management (EVM) and risk management.
Kim Hunter, Government Liaison Chair, noted that “Government agencies are challenged in 2012 and beyond to complete projects in the most cost efficient way possible, using both available dollars and human resources wisely.”. Government leaders are working in an environment where they have to produce greater results faster, and for less money. Effective risk management can make a significant difference in achieving success across government projects. This roundtable explored how EVM is used within the federal government as a major risk management tool and how AACE International can help federal leaders create an environment where proven TCM practices can be applied effectively.
AACE International President Michael Nosbisch presented an overview of AACE International while President-Elect, Marlene Hyde, extended a special invitation to federal agency officials to participate in the 2013 Annual Meeting which will be held in Washington, DC, June 30-July 3, 2013. This initiative was designed to support the provisions of the Association’s strategic plan which calls for “AACE International to develop an ongoing government relations program with governmental agencies that need the technical expertise and educational training AACE can offer.”
To facilitate interaction among the 35 attendees, participants were divided into two groups with a scribe assigned to record and report back conclusions and themes to the entire group at the end of the discussions. Jerry Jones, Federal Aviation Administration, facilitated one group while Marlene Hyde facilitated the second. The group shared transferable techniques and identified areas where future inter-agency cooperation might lead to more effective deployment of TCM practices within the federal government.
Common themes expressed during the breakout sessions was a growing concern about the need for more professionals well-trained in the practice of TCM in both the public and private sectors, the perceived need for improved standardization of EVM procedures among the federal agencies and the importance of senior leadership “buy-in” as prerequisite for establishing the organizational culture necessary to support an EVM.
Based upon the positive feedback from participants, the Government Liaison Committee will be recommending future Roundtables to build upon the momentum created. Anyone interested in learning more information about AACE International or its Federal Agency Roundtable, please contact Dennis Stork, Executive Director at dstork@aacei.org.
