Let's Talk EVM

Co-hosts: Amber Young and Barbara Phillips
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A public service podcast to engage with the Earned Value Management (EVM) community

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  1. Episode 7: Tell Your Neighbor - What is IP2M METRR?

    2일 전

    Episode 7: Tell Your Neighbor - What is IP2M METRR?

    Episode 7 is a short “Tell Your Neighbor” segment designed to keep things simple, timely, and genuinely explainable to a non-specialist. This time we tackle IP2M METRR—the Integrated Project/Program Management Maturity and Environment Total Risk Rating framework—so you can walk away with a clear sense of what it is, where it came from, and why it matters. Joining the conversation is our recurring guest Daniel Goldsmith, and in a fun twist, Amber Young appears as a guest (not a co-host)—bringing firsthand experience from the earliest days of the framework’s use at the Department of Energy. Amber shares that she participated in the first IP2M METRR environment assessment for DOE and has supported both maturity and environment assessments since 2020. Daniel was introduced to IP2M METRR in 2021 after joining DOE, has participated in multiple reviews, completed training, and has even facilitated assessments. Barbara also notes that all three were part of the initial IP2M METRR facilitator certification cohort in 2024 (right before the Empower User’s Group), and she celebrates earning her facilitator certification (yes—“certifiable,” in the best way). The heart of the episode is two questions: 1. How was IP2M METRR developed—was it just someone drafting criteria on a piece of paper? Daniel explains that it came from a large, research-backed collaboration—funded by DOE and led with Arizona State University—with input from multiple government agencies and industry. The initial aim was to create a structured way to evaluate Earned Value Management systems by studying patterns across successful and struggling projects. That work included broad participation, surveys, workshops, and extensive document review—resulting in a growing body of published research. 2. What’s the difference between “maturity” and “environment,” and which matters more? Amber offers a clean distinction: maturity = EVMS (the established system—processes, rigor, standards, and how EVMS is built and maintained). Environment is the additional dimension: the “squishy” people-and-culture factors—transparency, leadership behavior, communication norms, resourcing, and how work actually gets implemented day to day. Daniel adds a practical example of why environment matters: you can have perfect processes on paper, but if culture or leadership overrides the truth, the metrics will mislead you—sometimes until it’s too late. They close with a nuanced take: it depends on the phase—maturity may dominate the “review” lens, while environment often determines whether real improvement and corrective action is possible.

    18분
  2. Episode 6: Tell Your Neighbor - What is EVM?

    2월 13일

    Episode 6: Tell Your Neighbor - What is EVM?

    In Episode 6 of Let’s Talk EVM, Amber Young and Barbara Phillips introduce a new short-form segment, “Tell Your Neighbor,” designed to explain Earned Value Management in plain, practical language. Joined by recurring guest Daniel Goldsmith, the conversation steps back from technical jargon to answer a deceptively simple question: What is EVM, really? Rather than focusing on formulas and acronyms, the discussion reframes EVM as something far more intuitive — integrated project management. Barbara traces the roots of EVM to foundational management and industrial engineering principles, emphasizing that performance management is not a modern invention but a long-standing discipline centered on efficiency, measurement, and decision-making. From there, the group explores what “integration” actually means: connecting scope, schedule, and budget so that teams can see not just how much money is being spent, but whether progress aligns with the plan. EVM, as described in the episode, becomes less about reporting and more about visibility, early warning, and communication. Through relatable examples — from home improvement projects to wedding planning — the hosts highlight that the underlying logic of EVM exists in everyday decision-making. At its core, the discipline is about defining what “done” looks like, measuring performance, and using data to guide corrective action. Daniel offers a practical lens, describing EVM as one of the most data-driven forms of project management, where structured planning, performance assessment, and forecasting work together to support better decisions. The episode reinforces a central theme of the podcast: EVM is not a cure-all, but a tool for insight — helping teams understand what is happening, what may happen next, and where attention is needed. A foundational, accessible conversation for both seasoned practitioners and those newly curious about Earned Value Management.

    17분
  3. Episode 5: Love Hate Love about EVM with Luis Contreras

    2월 6일

    Episode 5: Love Hate Love about EVM with Luis Contreras

    This February episode of Let’s Talk EVM leans into the Valentine’s theme with a “love–hate–love sandwich” — and welcomes ⁠Luis Contreras⁠, CEO of AzTech International, to talk candidly about what makes Earned Value Management both challenging and worth it. First: the love. Luis, Amber Young, and Barbara Phillips explore the idea that EVM can be a game — not “gaming the system,” but gamification in the positive sense. They compare project management to placing bets on outcomes: When will we finish? What will it cost? Will we be ahead or behind next month? The point isn’t perfection — it’s building a culture where teams can make forecasts, learn, and improve without fear of being wrong. From “guessing” exercises to making the work more engaging, the message is clear: EVM is rigorous, data-driven, and it can still be human. Then: the hate. The group digs into a common frustration — when EVM becomes “just a report.” When teams treat the IPMR/IPMDAR as the end goal, the work turns into box-checking, and energy gets burned on report health and editorial “trips,” instead of using the tools to manage the program. They discuss how customer/contractor dynamics and an overly reactive environment can create a culture that feels threatened by the data rather than supported by it — including the temptation to “pull the date back” until you’re ready to reveal bad news. And finally: the love returns. The antidote is usage and culture: look at the schedule weekly, run the critical path, use the indicators early, and let the data tell the story. Luis shares a mindset shift that helps teams breathe: call it a “VAR party,” embrace “oops and yikes,” and remember that on any real program, some control accounts will turn red — and that’s where leadership should help, not blame. They also spotlight the “certainty of uncertainty” in EVM: credible data is predictive, surprises will happen, and that’s what keeps the work meaningful. A warm, practical episode about building healthier EVM culture — one forecast, one variance, and one “VAR party” at a time.

    44분
  4. Episode 4: CAM's Corner with Brie Smith

    1월 30일

    Episode 4: CAM's Corner with Brie Smith

    Welcome to Episode 4 of Let’s Talk EVM—and the debut of our brand-new segment: CAM’s Corner. Hosts Amber Young and Barbara Phillips sit down with ⁠Brie Smith⁠, a former Control Account Manager (CAM) with deep experience in defense contracting and EVM work, who later transitioned into consulting and EVM surveillance with NASA. Brie walks us through how she became a CAM, starting with her academic path (including a computer science foundation, business administration, and an “electronic business” focus), and how early exposure to earned value concepts, scheduling fundamentals, and real-world internship experience on a large DOD sustainment program helped set her up for success. From there, the conversation gets practical—fast. Brie shares what the CAM role really feels like in the day-to-day, including: • Learning the monthly rhythm of program controls and how to stay ahead of it • Building strong working relationships with PP&C / program controls teams and knowing when to ask for help • Getting out from behind the desk to meet the people charging to your control accounts, understand the work, and manage budgets without becoming “the annoying budget cop” • Gaining confidence in monthly variance analysis by understanding what’s happening technically, asking better questions, and being prepared to explain changes and variances to a government customer • Training and professional development—what helped (including early exposure to Defense Acquisition University training) and why in-person learning can make a difference The episode also touches the bigger theme beneath CAM work: credibility—how good CAM habits (knowing the work, knowing the people, knowing the data) create clearer narratives, stronger forecasts, and better conversations with leadership and customers. If you’ve ever wondered what CAMs do, what makes a CAM effective, or how to grow into the role with confidence—this episode is for you. (Episode summary written with assistance from ChatGPT)

    33분
  5. Episode 3: Bidding Contracts with EVMS with Michael Breuker

    1월 23일

    Episode 3: Bidding Contracts with EVMS with Michael Breuker

    In Episode 3 of Let’s Talk EVM, hosts Amber Young and Barbara Phillips are joined by Michael Breuker of Pinnacle Management Systems for a deep, practical conversation on what it truly means to bid contracts with an Earned Value Management System (EVMS)—and why proposal decisions often create consequences long after contract award. Drawing on nearly 30 years of program management and EVMS consulting experience, Michael explains how EVMS requirements show up in solicitations, why “having a validated system” is often misunderstood during bidding, and what agencies are really asking for when EVMS language appears in an RFP. The discussion breaks down the role of the cognizant federal agency (CFA), differences in validation approaches across DOD, NASA, DOE, FAA, and civilian agencies, and how reciprocal acceptance (or lack thereof) affects contractors. Key discussion areas include: - What it actually means to bid an EVMS contract—and why validation can’t be rushed - Why companies often pursue EVMS validation for proposal points rather than management value - When and how EVMS plans are submitted as part of a proposal response - What a credible EVMS implementation plan must include: current-state description, gap analysis, and a realistic plan of action - Why agencies typically wait until after the Integrated Baseline Review (IBR)—often six months in—to conduct deeper compliance assessments - The role of self-assessments, third-party reviews, and how DCMA approaches validation - Why waiting to invest in EVMS until after contract award is usually “too late” The episode also explores “EVM Light,” scalability, and foundational project controls, including scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management. Michael emphasizes that while not every program needs full EIA-748 rigor on day one, foundational elements must be in place early—and that risk, more than compliance, ultimately determines business success. The conversation closes with broader reflections on leadership trust in data, why executives care about EACs and forecasts, and how credible EVMS data supports real business decisions—from profitability to staffing to cash flow. This episode is especially valuable for proposal teams, project controls professionals, consultants, and leaders navigating EVMS requirements during competitive bids and early contract execution.

    43분
  6. Episode 2: The Cost of EVM with Ivan Bembers

    1월 16일

    Episode 2: The Cost of EVM with Ivan Bembers

    Join us as we discuss the cost of EVM with esteemed guest Ivan Bembers, focusing on the Joint Space Cost Council (JSCC) EVM cost study that he co-authored. Some related links: [https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/api/ipm/docs/jscc_better_evms_implementation_study.pdf](https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/api/ipm/docs/jscc_better_evms_implementation_study.pdf) [https://www.dau.edu/sites/default/files/Migrate/DATLFiles/Jan-Feb2017/Bembers_Knox_Jones_Traczyk.pdf](https://www.dau.edu/sites/default/files/Migrate/DATLFiles/Jan-Feb2017/Bembers_Knox_Jones_Traczyk.pdf) --- AI Summary (from ChatGPT based on Camtasia transcript): In this episode of Let’s Talk EVM, hosts Amber Young and Barbara Phillips tackle one of the most persistent and misunderstood topics in earned value management: its true cost. The discussion opens with a “soapbox” moment highlighting the critical role of Control Account Managers (CAMs), emphasizing that meaningful CAM training is not just about compliance interviews, but about enabling real use of EVM data to manage programs effectively. The conversation then turns to long-standing assumptions about EVM being overly burdensome or expensive—assumptions often made without supporting evidence. To address these myths, the hosts welcome Ivan Bembers, a respected EVM practitioner with more than 20 years of federal service experience and a key contributor to the JSCC EVM cost study. Ivan provides important historical context for the JSCC, which was formed in 2009 as a joint government–industry effort to improve cost estimating and cost management practices, particularly during the budget-constrained environment following sequestration. He explains how the EVM cost study was initiated in response to pressure on programs to reduce costs responsibly, rather than making uninformed cuts. The study itself stands out for its scale and rigor. Drawing on input from major aerospace and defense companies, the team collected approximately 1,600 survey responses and more than 3,600 data points. Ivan describes how strict data protections and anonymization were used to preserve industry trust while maintaining analytical credibility. Subject matter experts from both government and industry collaborated to analyze the data and reach consensus on findings. A key takeaway from the study is that EVM cost is not driven by EVM itself, but by how it is implemented. One of the primary cost drivers identified is the number and sizing of control accounts. Ivan refers to this as “the art of EVM”—finding the right balance between too much detail, which creates unnecessary maintenance and data overload, and too little detail, which limits insight into performance drivers and variances. Throughout the episode, listeners gain a clearer, evidence-based understanding of where EVM costs truly come from, why thoughtful system design matters, and how better implementation decisions can reduce burden while increasing value. The discussion reinforces that EVM, when applied intelligently, is not a cost problem—it is a management asset.

    39분
  7. Episode 1: Why EVM Matters with Daniel Goldsmith

    1월 9일

    Episode 1: Why EVM Matters with Daniel Goldsmith

    In the premiere episode of our new podcast, co-hosts Amber Young and Barbara Phillips sit down with esteemed guest Daniel Goldsmith for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation on why Earned Value Management (EVM) matters. This episode sets the foundation for the discussions to come, blending real-world insight with accessible conversation for listeners at every level.

    49분
  8. Introducing 'Let's Talk EVM': A New Earned Value Management Community

    1월 8일

    Introducing 'Let's Talk EVM': A New Earned Value Management Community

    Welcome to the very first episode (teaser!) of 'Let's Talk EVM'! Join hosts Amber Young and Barbara Phillips as we kick off our podcast dedicated to exploring the world of Earned Value Management (EVM). In this teaser, we introduce ourselves, share our vision for building a vibrant community, and give you a sneak peek at what's coming in future episodes. Get ready for insightful discussions, guest interviews, and a journey into the heart of EVM! Our first episode will be out Friday morning (UTC-5), January 9, 2026!

    3분
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A public service podcast to engage with the Earned Value Management (EVM) community

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    Co-hosts: Amber Young and Barbara Phillips
  • 방송 연도
    2026년
  • 에피소드
    8
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    Let's Talk EVM