If you work within an organization that has partnered with the federal government on a project, then you need to be familiar with the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act (PMIAA). This Act was implemented as a means to bolster productivity and follow through on government projects, and it has created guidelines that every project must follow.

While some organizations might feel that these regulations are restrictive and push back against the idea that they need a project manager, it can actually be an incredibly helpful thing. That’s because project managers can help your efforts in numerous different ways, and this useful guide will outline everything you need to know.

What is the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act?

In December of 2016, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Program Management Policy Council (PMPC) created the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act. The PMIAA put into effect regulations meant to identify key skills and competencies needed for a program and a project manager in an agency to bolster the effectiveness of federal efforts.

The federal government felt that these regulations were necessary due to recent studies that outlined the poor management of past projects. For example, according to a 2018 study by the Project Management Institute, only 64% of government strategic initiatives ever meet their goals and business intent, resulting in the waste of $101 million for every $1 billion spent on federal projects and programs.

While the guidelines created by the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act are designed to improve efficiency on federal projects and deliver a stronger return on investment for the taxpayers’ money, it has created hurdles for some companies. One solution that’s being widely used is to hire an outside project manager to oversee the initiative, and doing so can bring with it many advantages for your organization.

Benefits of bringing on a project manager for federal jobs.

Fill in gaps of expertise.

Many government projects span across industries and require a thorough background to be completed on time and within the scope of the budget. These demands are often too much for an in-house team that specializes in one particular part of the initiative. A project management consulting firm can help provide the extensive experience needed to supplement your team’s specialty. They have a deeper familiarity with how large-scale projects are managed and bring insights required to achieve your deliverable.

Reduce the number of conflicts on the project.

Large-scale federal projects often require multiple vendors for its various needs, and this can quickly lead to problems if you don’t have the necessary leadership in place. Each of the vendors understandably has their own agenda and wants to take care of their own people, and that often creates conflicting needs as everyone works together. The project manager helps to deescalate tensions and is solely focused on ensuring the initiative is completed efficiently.

Provide clear and concise plans.

Another hurdle when working with multiple suppliers on a project is coordinating everyone’s schedule. Without a team lead, this can prove to be incredibly difficult, but a skilled project manager can alleviate this concern. They are trained to create clear and actionable phases of the project and will help coordinate all of the missing pieces to keep the process moving along as smoothly as possible.

Make your next project as stress-free as possible.

If you have an upcoming project that must adhere to the regulations outlined in the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act, then the team here at NFA Consulting is here to help. With almost four decades of project management experience, we know exactly what is needed to complete a federal project on time and within budget, and we can help your team improve their productivity and achieve your objectives. Learn more about our areas of expertise, or explore some of the many federal organizations we’ve worked with in the past.