MANGT 515
Dr. RAY VENKATARAMAN

I was thoroughly intrigued with the concepts and techniques brought up in the article Single Point Adjustments: A New Definition with Examples by David C Bachman. Mr. Bachman gives us the theoretical definition of Single Point Adjustments, as well as a real world definition and examples of his experience with the technique and its relationship to earned value management. Although I was very interested by the article I do not feel like these cases have shown enough to add a new definition for Single Point Analysis. David begins by explaining the historical definition of SPA as an event when a contract’s existing variances, (Schedule Variance (SV) and Cost Variance (CV)) are zeroed in a particular and the remaining work is budgeted to create a new performance management baseline (PMB). The Author as explains his views on earned value management including three recurring themes: Program managers are optimists; programs don’t improve; generalizations are made about contract’s EAC range based on selections of specific EAC equations (performance factors). David then begins to make his case for his stance on single point adjustments, attempting to determine if the definition used by the Air Force will relate to his new work with the Ballistic Missle Defense Organization. After analyzing four cases David comes to the conclusion that the definition from the Air Force do not line up with the new results from the study of the four cases. Finding the historical definition and the new findings do not match the author suggests that a new definition be added for Earned Value references. I do not feel that the findings of these four cases justifies a new definition be added. The Author himself mentions that four cases is not enough data to form significant conclusions. I feel that adding a new definition would show significant