Overview

APPEL provides NASA teams with expertise throughout a project's life cycle, from formulation through implementation and evaluation. Support ranges from consultations on team performance to tailored instruction on systems engineering and project management approaches. Developmental activities can be provided on specific topics, such as construction of work breakdown structures, risk management, requirements definition, earned value management, and review preparation.

Once APPEL has referred a project for service, team support begins with a client program manager and the project leadership evaluating the project’s developmental needs. Based on this evaluation, APPEL proposes developmental activities and negotiates with the project leadership to develop a mutually-agreeable statement of work prior to initiating support. Specific project issues discussed with the contractor are confidential. Unless authorized to do so by the project manager, APPEL does not share project-specific information with any other branch of the Agency.

Developmental activities are designed to achieve specific goals and are conducted over a defined time period. Recurring activities may be planned, including ongoing coaching of project leaders. Funding for project support can be obtained from NASA APPEL or the Center(s) concerned, depending on the nature of the project and the type of support required.

Services include:

• Team Building Support (including project start-up)
• Diagnostic and Planning Support
• Technical Training and Workshops
• Mentoring and Coaching
• Process Development
• Planning and Scheduling
• Program Control and Analysis
• Systems Management (including requirements and architecture development, cost estimating, and integration)
• Risk Management
• Software Management (including cost estimating)
• Subject Matter Experts