Office of Project Management (PM) Independent Review Schedule Analysis (IRSA) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Revision 1.0 - Dated March 2022

This Independent Review Schedule Analysis (IRSA) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is intended to be a primary reference for the DOE Office of Project Management (PM) as a means to consistently perform schedule analysis. This schedule analysis is part of the overall functions PM performs per the requirements in DOE Order 413.3B, Program and Project Management for the Acquisition of Capital Assets. The DOE PM must perform external independent reviews (EIRs), independent cost estimates (ICEs), and independent cost reviews (ICRs) on capital asset projects larger than $50M. PM also establishes, maintains, and executes the earned value management system (EVMS) certification and surveillance review processes. Best practice schedule procedures and quality schedule data are an essential component of an effective EVMS.

The IRSA SOP complements other DOE guidance and provides details on how PM implements the requirements in DOE Order 413.3B. The processes in the SOP correspond to other standard best practices and guidance such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Schedule Assessment Guide, Best Practices for Project Schedules, and the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Planning and Scheduling Excellence Guide (PASEG). It does not impose new requirements; it references other best practice guidance.

The IRSA SOP provides guidance to the DOE PM for consistently conducting schedule sufficiency review activities. This includes:

• Using quantitative and qualitative analysis for schedule assessments.
• Consistently capturing schedule assessments conducted during PM reviews.
• Use of the AACEI Schedule Classifications per Recommended Practice (RP) 27R-03, Schedule Classification System.
• Use of an integrated evaluation methodology for meeting the GAO Schedule Assessment Guide Best Practices (GAO-16-89G) and EIA-748 Standard for EVMS Guideline compliance assessment per the DOE PM Earned Value Management Systems Compliance Review Standard Operation Procedure (ECRSOP).

The IRSA SOP also includes a set of Appendices that supports the objective to consistently conduct schedule reviews and capture results.

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