Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Project Controls and the
Surplus Plutonium Disposition (SPD) Project team are enhancing project management at the Savannah
River Site (SRS) using the Earned Value Management System (EVMS). This proven framework helps
manage the scope, schedule, budget, and costs of high-risk, high-complexity capital projects.
On April 29, SRNS' Senior Management, Project Controls, and Surplus Plutonium Disposition Project personnel, along with the
Department of Energy’s Office of Project Controls (PM-30) staff, completed the on-site Environmental Assessment as part of the
journey towards Earned Value Management System (EVMS) certification.
SRNS is pursuing EVMS certification to support its growing project portfolio following the transition in
landlord ownership from Environmental Management (EM) to the National Nuclear Security Administration
(NNSA). This transition has introduced several major initiatives tied to the Savannah River Plutonium Pit
Production Facility (SRPPF) mission and the SPD Project, further increasing the need for a more
structured, data-driven project management approach.
EVMS is an industry-standard approach that allows teams to objectively measure progress, anticipate
challenges and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Due to the influx of large-scale
projects driven by the Site’s expanding missions and aging infrastructure, the Department of Energy’s
(DOE) Office of Project Controls (PM-30) selected the SPD Project for EVMS certification. Efforts are
underway with a dual-track approach, working closely with both the NNSA and PM-30.
According to Staci Peters, SRNS Senior Vice President of Business Services, achieving EVMS
certification will mark a significant milestone, especially as NNSA missions continue to expand.
“Receipt of certification will serve as a testament to our ability to manage complex projects with precision
and efficiency. The Project Controls Central Group [PCCG] has played a crucial role in our successes to
date through their dedication and expertise. Our journey thus far has been a collective effort and
unwavering resolve of our team, providing a solid foundation for continued mission growth,” said Peters.
In 2024, PCCG conducted a thorough assessment of its project management practices and identified
opportunities for improvement. From there, the team developed a detailed implementation roadmap,
launched training programs for project personnel, and configured EVMS tools to align with SRNS’ unique
mission requirements. The SPD Project data was measured monthly against 183 different metrics to
track project performance and prepare the team for certification.
“EVMS is already embedded in the way we do business at SRS,” said Shannan Lucero, SRNS Director
of Project Controls.
“As we take on larger, more complex project portfolios, certification gives us the tools
and credibility to manage risk, increase accountability and deliver results. We now have the data to
confidently say where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.”
According to Jean Thomas, SRNS EVMS and Program Support Manager, SRNS has remained closely
aligned with PM-30 and NNSA throughout the certification process.
“This review has been all about working together. Our team possesses extensive EVMS expertise across
the DOE-NNSA complex. Recently, PM-30 revamped its traditional review methods to foster
collaboration, which has enabled SRNS, NNSA, and the PM-30 review team to ensure SRNS’ EVMS
effectively tracks and manages project performance. Ultimately, our goal is to be responsible stewards of
taxpayers' dollars,” said Thomas.
On April 29, the team concluded an on-site Environmental Assessment, with a formal on-site EVMS
Review scheduled for mid-May. So far, SRNS has addressed 25 initial findings out of 52 tested
attributes, achieving ratings of three or higher (the minimum threshold for certification) on more than 84%
of them. EVMS certification is anticipated by the end of the calendar year, coinciding with the SRPPF’s
baseline approval, which establishes the project's scope, schedule and estimated costs.
EVMS certification also complements broader initiatives to modernize project delivery at SRS. In
September 2024, SRNS established the Project Delivery Organization (PDO) as the single point of
accountability for project execution.
"We are collaborating with the PDO to tailor the EVMS approach for smaller-scale projects, ensuring they
benefit from the same structure and visibility," Lucero concluded. "These efforts represent a significant
step forward in delivering projects that are safe, efficient, and mission-ready. This journey reflects SRNS'
long-term commitment to project excellence, ensuring that complex initiatives are completed successfully
to support our enduring missions."