This document outlines three NASA development programs: the Program and Project Management Development Program (PPMD), the Project Leadership Program (PLP), and the Small Satellite Engineering Development Program (SSEDP). The PPMD prepares future program and project managers for leadership roles, the PLP and SSEDP develop project management and systems engineering competencies, and all three programs provide training, mentoring, and work assignments. Examples are given of participants from different NASA centers using their program to develop skills for roles in safety assurance, program integration, and engineering.

1. Preparing to Lead a
Complex Project
Kelly Elliott,
Carol Scott,
Bob Doremus,
Jay Leggett
NASA JSC
PM Challenge 2010

2. Development Model and Target Audiences
System
Project
Engineering
Management
Program Program
GS-15 Systems Manager
to Engineer
SES PPMD
Large
Project Large
GS-13 Project
Systems
to Engineer Manager
GS-15
Subsystem Subsystem
Engineer Project
SSEDP Manager
PLP
HQ/SELDP HQ/PMLDP
GS-7 Small Project Small Project
to Team Team
GS-12 Member Member
Career Launch Pad

3. Development Program Content
60%
50%
Leadership
40%
Congressional Operations
30% Systems Engineering
Project Management
20%
Program Planning & Control
10%
0% Common Components:
PPMD PLP SSEDP Leadership & Technical Assessments
Group Learning Events
Mentoring
Work Assignments
Individual Development Plans
Activities to Build Agency Awareness

4. Overall Goals of PPMD
• Prepare future Program and Project Managers for the long-term
challenges facing NASA and to provide continuing leadership of
space exploration programs by:
– Developing competencies in leadership and project management through
a variety of development activities and a focus on work assignments
– Executive level training, mentoring, and work assignments targeted for
large scale Program and Project Management roles.
– Work assignments and training emphasizing preparation for DDT&E
roles
– Enabling relationship building among participants and strengthening
collaboration with other Centers
– Technical curriculum created through a collaborative effort involving
current NASA leaders, Advisory Council and other retired NASA
executives, current aerospace industry leaders and other industry
executives.

5. Overall Goals of PLP & SSEDP
• Develop participant’s competencies in project management, systems
engineering and leadership so that JSC has a talented pool of
capable project managers and systems engineers ready to become
an element (level 4) project manager or systems engineer by:
– Providing a core curriculum that incorporates speakers with different
perspectives
– Incorporating group learning events to capture lessons learned and
project management and systems engineering best practices
– Utilizing current NASA leaders as mentors
– Focusing on individual development
– Increasing Agency awareness through exposure to other Centers and
entities who practice and influence project management and systems
engineering practices
– Providing networking opportunities for participants to work with emerging
leaders from across the Center

6. Development Program Participants
• Carol Scott
– PPMD Participant from Kennedy Space Center
– Developing the Program Integration Office for the Constellation Space
Transportation Planning Office
• Bob Doremus
– PLP Participant from Johnson Space Center
– Manager of the Space Shuttle Program Safety and Mission Assurance Office
• Jay Leggett
– SSEDP Participant from Johnson Space Center
– International Space Station Vehicle Chief Engineer