Charter

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Project Management Working Group (PMWG) is to promote project management excellence in the execution of Department of Energy (DOE) programs by sharing best industrial practices, applying lessons learned and providing integrated recommendations to Department of Energy officials.

The PMWG is a working committee whose intent is to facilitate the objectives of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) as it relates to Project Management.

The Group's scope will include the areas of Project Management as defined in the Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), 2000 Edition. This includes Integration Management, Scope Management, Time Management, Cost Management, Quality Management, Human Resource Management, Communications Management, Risk Management, and Procurement Management, as well as industry standards and DOE regulations. Communication with other EFCOG groups will ensure that no parallel work occurs.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the PMWG are to:

  • Enable the success of DOE projects in terms of scope, cost and schedule. To provide a forum for exchange of ideas, needs, and wants among the DOE complex-wide employees.

  • Enhance collaboration among DOE contractors and to encourage early involvement of complex-wide experts, in order to maximize the probability of success of DOE projects.

  • Promote, coordinate, and facilitate the active exchange of successful Project Management programs, practices, procedures, lessons learned, and other pertinent information of common interest to contractors and subcontractors.

  • Promote training on Project Management by sharing of management and technical information among contractors through mechanisms such as workshops, task groups, and seminars.

  • Develop strategic alliances that:

    • Increase awareness and involvement of senior contractor management.

    • Increase awareness and involvement of middle and line management.

    • Provide information bridges within the DOE.

    • Provide proactive, value-added recommendations to the DOE.

  • Provide planning and actions necessary to ensure that the overall objectives of EFCOG are met.

SCOPE

  • The PMWG will operate within the scope of EFCOG.

  • The PMWG will facilitate interaction with outside agencies and organizations regarding application of Project Management principles and methods in the DOE complex.

  • The PMWG will facilitate the exchange of information through workshops, working groups, written materials, etc.

  • The PMWG will not lobby, advocate independent positions, or try to change DOE policy. However, project management activity may be discussed and suggestions for improvement made to the DOE.

ORGANIZATION

  • Members in the PMWG is limited to DOE contractors who are current EFCOG members or associate members.

  • A single representative for the PMWG will be identified for each participating contractor to facilitate communication.

  • The PMWG will maintain a balance in Members, to the degree possible, of DOE contractor representatives that are executing key missions across the DOE complex.

  • Initially, the EFCOG Executive Directors may assign the Chairperson. If elected from the group Members, the Chairperson position will require a majority vote by the active members. The Chairperson's term of office will be one year. If for any reason the Chairperson is required to terminate prior to the designated time, the PMWG shall elect a new Chairperson.

  • The PMWG Chairperson will direct the overall actions of the Group. Other roles will be elected by a majority vote as the need for them arises.

  • The PMWG Chairperson is designated as the single point of contact for official EFCOG communication. This is not intended to restrict other informal communications.

  • Topic / Task subgroups will be endorsed as needed and will operate within the EFCOG Charter and EFCOG Working Group Operating Manual. Establishment of topic / task subgroups must be approved by the EFCOG Executive Council Directors.

  • A Steering Committee comprised of key contractor and DOE executives will provide feedback and guidance on PMWG tasks and deliverables.

  • The Chairperson will select the Steering Committee members with input from the sponsoring director.

PROCESS

  • PMWG meetings will be held when needed, as determined by the PMWG Chairperson, or when requested by three PMWG members.

  • Generally, an activity fee assessed by a workshop committee will cover the cost of workshop activities. A daily surcharge will be levied to non-EFCOG member participants; however, full EFCOG and/or associate Members is encouraged for all firms regularly participating in the Group activities.

  • The goals, objectives, and the cost/benefits of the PMWG shall be reviewed annually by the Chairperson and documented in the Annual Report to the EFCOG Directors.

  • A change to this charter requires approval from two-thirds of the active Members.

Deliverables

The minimum set of PMWG deliverables will be as follows:

  • At least two Project Management workshops to share project management experiences, accomplishments, lessons learned, best practices, emerging issues and regulatory concerns across the DOE complex.

  • An annual report of key accomplishments and critical issues affecting project management across the DOE complex.

  • An annual summary of productivity savings as a result of the PMWG activities.

Duration and Cost/Benefits

  • It is anticipated that the PMWG will continue as long as the cost/benefit and sufficient interest is shown to exist.

  • At time of formation, it is anticipated that the cost of supporting this PMWG will be minimal. It is expected that the benefits associated with the above deliverables will be quantified and compared with the cost of PMWG operations, at least annually. The PMWG will continue so long as the benefits exceed the costs.

  • Another measurement tool for benefit is participation - the average number and diversity of participants in PMWG activities. The more participants in the PMWG, the greater opportunity for sharing lessons learned and the greater potential for cost savings.