Section 809 Panel - Recommendation #19 - Eliminate the Earned Value Management (EVM) Mandate for Software Programs using Agile Methods

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) established use of Earned Value Management (EVM) as a requirement for periodically measuring linear programs with firm baselines established prior to starting development. EVM is not well suited as a measurement tool in an Agile environment, which is dynamic by design. By its nature, Agile provides dynamic and ongoing feedback to stakeholders participating on development teams. This recommendation gives project managers, in the context of DoD's business systems, the option to choose the project monitoring and control methods best suited for their acquisition programs.