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FEDERAL SECTOR REPORT

September 2004

IN THIS ISSUE
GCN Looks at the Exhibit 300 Business Case
Links of the Month: OMB Clarifies "Green Lights" for Information Technology
Consulting Services
Home Page

(c) 2004 by the P2C2 Group, Inc.


THE EXHIBIT 300 BUSINESS CASE
 
GCN Looks at the Exhibit 300.  The phone rang a few weeks ago, and a reporter from Government Computer News (GCN) was on the line. Richard W. Walker, GCN staff reporter, said the August 16th issue of GCN Management would be about "Win the Funding Game," and the Exhibit 300 Business Case would be a star attraction.

The phone call led to an interview. Then there was a photo session for the printed version. Our input was combined with other interviews and research, and the following articles resulted:
 

There’s more to the game than knowing the rules

To win funding, you’ve got to know the rules--and much more.
The OMB Exhibit 300 has become serious business.
 
Jim Kendrick , P2C2 Group, recommends how to build better business cases.
 
How OMB evaluates business cases.
 
Veterans Administration scores well for FY 2005.
 
When it comes to money, Congress is the final arbiter.
How IT investments are justified at Department of Defense.

 Magazine Cover - GCN Management
LINKS OF THE MONTH:  OMB CLARIFIES "GREEN LIGHTS" 

Karen S. Evans, Administrator of the OMB Office of E-Government and Information Technology, issued Memorandum M-04-24 to clarify requirements for achieving "Green Lights" and "Yellow Lights" for the E-Gov initiative. The August 23 memo is available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy04/m04-24.html.

In summary, to achieve a “green” level of performance for this initiative, an agency’s actual performance cannot vary from its cost, schedule and performance goals by more than 10 percent. To achieve a “yellow” level of performance, the agency’s cost, schedule and performance overruns and shortfalls for all major information technology (IT) projects must average less than 30 percent.

M-04-24 emphasizes Earned Value Management System (EVMS) methodology. See the P2C2 Group's June newsletter, which provides an introduction to EVMS:
 http://www.p2c2group.com/jun04nws.html.
 
CONSULTING SERVICES
 
One of the advantages of retaining our firm, the P2C2 Group, is that we are a small independent consulting practice and intend to remain that way. That enables us to avoid sticky conflict of interest issues. We know our role and the responsibilities for ethics and professionalism in sensitive areas like IT planning, capital investment, acquisition, performance evaluation, and management strategy.  We work hard at earning and retaining the trust of our clients. Excellence and value in our work is our central goal.

Send us your resume for confidential review.
HOME PAGE
 
My twentysomething children and I took in a Wednesday night show at the Apollo theater during our trip to New York City. That's amateur night when ambitious performing artists attempt to show off their talents to an audience that is prepared to provide audible feedback--applause or boos. There was also a presentation of young teens, dubbed "Stars of the Future," who belted out dancing acts, songs, rap, and instrumental performances.
 
I was impressed by the talent and energy. How many hours, days, weeks, and months had these artists been practicing and honing their performances? How much courage did it take for a 12-year-old to stand in front of a large audience who might turn thumbs down?
 
Our programs, projects, and initiatives in Washington deserve the same devotion, discipline, and energy. And we need to remember that great achievement always involves overcoming obstacles and risk.
 
Best wishes,

Jim Kendrick
Management Consultant
4101 Denfeld Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895

301-942-7985