S-1550 : Became Public Law

Program Management Improvement Accountability Act

Establishes as additional functions of the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements to:

• adopt and oversee government-wide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies;
• chair the Program Management Policy Council (established by this Act);
• issue regulations and establish standards and policies for executive agencies in accordance with nationally accredited standards for program and project management planning and delivery issues;
• engage with the private sector;
• conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office;
• conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs at least annually; and
• establish a five-year strategic plan for program and project management.

Requires the head of each federal agency that is required to have a Chief Financial Officer to designate a Program Management Improvement Officer to implement agency program management policies and develop a written strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency (with an exception applicable to the Department of Defense [DOD]).

Exempts DOD from such provisions to the extent that they are substantially similar to specified provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016.

Establishes the Program Management Policy Council within OMB to act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management.

Requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations that: (1) identify key skills and competencies needed for an agency program and project manager, (2) establish a new job series for program and project management within an agency, and (3) establish a new career path for program and project managers.