FTA Oversight Procedures - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

3.0 OBJECTIVES
FTA’s objective is to determine whether the sponsor’s project schedule is sufficiently developed
to establish the validity of the longest path of the project (leading to the Revenue Operations
Date), that critical areas such as right‐of‐way acquisition, utility relocation, wetland mitigation
and construction are sufficient in detail to confirm if the schedule is reasonable, and to estimate
a probability of schedule slippage.
The reviewer is to validate the usefulness of the schedule as a project management tool, identify
problems, provide technical assistance, and actively solve schedule problems with the project
sponsor. In a report to FTA and the project sponsor, the reviewer is to document its findings,
professional opinions and recommendations and reconcile these with the sponsor.
In addition, identification of individual project schedule elements that indicate poor definition,
uncertain constraints, or insufficient sequencing will reveal risk to the project. This provides FTA
with an effective approach to accomplish risk management in that the reviewer evaluates the
inadequately defined areas and makes recommendations as to their disposition. This ensures
FTA’s risk products satisfy the oversight requirement for accuracy and completeness.
Deliverables should be commensurate with the overall progress of the program, taking into
consideration actual progress and expenditure data. Variances from the Project Management
Plan and the planned Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) should be thoroughly discussed.
4.0 REFERENCES
4.1 Regulatory
[NOTE: FURTHER REFERENCES AND LIVE LINKS TO BE ADDED]
The statutes, regulations, policies, guidance documents and circulars in the Appendix in OP 01
Administrative Conditions and Requirements apply. Particular attention should be given to OPs
32, 33, 35, and 40.
4.2 Appendices
The following Appendices are included this guidance:
8.1 ‐ Sample Section with Data Table
8.2 ‐ Typical Construction Sequencing
5.0 PROJECT SPONSOR SUBMITTALS
In advance of performing the review, meet with the project sponsor and its staff and consultants,
discuss the purpose of the review, and obtain information as required, including but not limited
to, the sponsor’s schedule development and control process, the latest schedules produced and
supporting scope and cost information. Information should be received in either electronic or
hard copy form, appropriate to the type of information developed, and archived in accordance
with current FTA procedures.
OP 34 Project Schedule Review
Revision 0, June 2008
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