NDIA IPMD Forum Spring 2025

This March, we joined government, industry, and thought leaders in Atlanta for the NDIA Integrated Program Management Division (IPMD) Spring Forum. The event spotlighted a rapidly evolving landscape: updated standards, smarter oversight approaches, and fresh debates about how Earned Value Management (EVM) and program controls adapt to future acquisition needs.

Key Highlights and Takeaways

EIA-748 Rev E: Streamlining the Standard

The long-anticipated update to the EVM system guidelines reduces requirements from 32 to 27, aiming for clarity and practicality without diluting core principles. Public comments closed in April, with final release expected in June.

Risk-Based Oversight from DCMA

DCMA outlined a reorganization and shift toward risk-based surveillance. The focus is on smarter prioritization, CAR closure, and improved industry collaboration—moving away from “checklist compliance” toward meaningful performance insights.

Over Target Baselines & Schedules

Discussions reinforced that OTB/OTS actions should be seen not as punishments, but as opportunities to reset expectations. Trust, communication, and leadership alignment are essential to making these reprogramming decisions successful.

Enterprise Scheduling and Digital Tools

Enterprise scheduling platforms are gaining traction, with benefits like real-time data access and collaborative planning. Power BI dashboards, automation, and AI-enabled validation tools were also highlighted as ways to improve transparency and reduce manual reporting burdens.

Guides and Policy Updates

Major references like PASEG v6, the IMS-only DID, and the IPMDAR DID are being revised with industry input. The community continues to push for clearer definitions, real-world use cases, and practical guidance.

Debates That Continue

Earned Schedule remains divisive, with some viewing it as a valuable complement to EV, and others dismissing it as unnecessary. Broader discussions also underscored the tension between compliance requirements and true program performance.

Building Connections

Beyond the sessions, conversations centered on workforce readiness, training pipelines, and the importance of culture in program performance. From primes to suppliers to government program offices, the message was clear: progress depends on partnership.

Why This Matters to Us—and You

The Forum underscored that while policies and guidelines will continue to evolve, the fundamentals remain the same: projects need clear baselines, reliable data, and teams who know how to use them. We are committed to helping our clients navigate this change with confidence—whether through tools, training, or hands-on support.

The next NDIA IPMD Forum will be held September 23–25, 2025, in La Jolla, CA. We look forward to continuing the conversation there.