Integrity

Try these tools to help you hurdle change in Federal IT Acquisition

With a seemingly broader array and quicker pace of threats, risks, and opportunities set against a backdrop of resource scarcity, maximizing value through optimal delivery of secure, citizen and customer-centric capabilities in line with strategy and priorities are more important than ever. Further, as we move through the Information age, the rate of change in the …

EVM – Communicating its value to the “big A” acquisition community

Being able to efficiently and effectively diagnose the health of an organization’s portfolio of contracts takes time and persistence. Earned Value Management (EVM), a project management technique for measuring project performance and progress, makes it possible. However, those in the federal sector, including EVM experts, need to do more to communicate its value for increased …

5 Ways to Improve Your Federal CPIC Process

Recently, the Integrity Matters blog asked the question, “Are You Making the Business Case for Federal Cybersecurity?” in an article about why and how to develop a business case through the Capital Planning Investment Control (CPIC) process in order to justify return on investment in cybersecurity programs. Now we ask the question, “Are You Making …

Are You Making the Business Case for Federal Cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the federal government over recent years, with round-the-clock threats in an online world.  In fact, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in June that “the number of cyber incidents reported by federal agencies increased in fiscal year 2013 significantly over the prior three years,” and …

Better Acquisition Decisions through Financial Analysis – Part 2

No matter how products and services are being acquired, financial analysis can help in decision making to acquire the requirements in the best and most cost effective ways. Federal Government acquisition uses frameworks and processes that leverage several financial tools to maximize the value procured from the solution while decreasing the risk of wasted resources. …

Better Acquisition Decisions through Financial Analysis

Government spending has become a political football, and with budget cuts and sequestration, there is greater pressure to spend taxpayer dollars in the most cost effective way and to be able to prove that we are doing so. It seems like a daunting challenge, as more scrutiny has been placed on Federal programs that are …

The Three C’s Of CPIC Success at TSA

With budgets and resources stretched more than ever, portfolios are under fire to demonstrate the value of their investments through sound business cases.  One way to show soundness is to demonstrate the business cases are compliant and coherent.  But how is this accomplished? Based on my experience supporting teams through many Capital Planning and Investment …

OMB 300/53 Business Case: The Path to Green Scores, Part II

In my first post about the OMB 300/53, I laid out the operational basics, the scoring, and important stakes behind managing the business case process.  It’s not easy to achieve an all green scorecard at the end of this process.  But, it is do-able, if you anticipate the challenges and have proactive strategies. Having supported …

Business Case Primer: How OMB 300/53 Can Lead to All-Green Scores

Each year Program Managers are tasked with proving that investments align with agency mission and support business needs with low risk during the investment lifecycle. The OMB Budget Exhibit 300/53 is a business case that justifies the strategic and economic value of any investment, say for example, in major IT infrastructure. The business case helps organizations …

Why Integrity Matters

Welcome to our new Integrity Matters blog. We want this to be a forum to share best practices and the latest thinking on acquisition and program management. We hope you will join in the conversation. Look for blog posts from our team of experienced Fellows and company leaders on everything from austerity to oversight to …