This article explains Lab Planning, how it works, and why it matters.

What is the Lab Planning Process

Annual process where EERE Technology Offices and Laboratories plan scope and schedule for our projects. Once all project details have been finalized, the details are compiled into a document called the Annual Operating Plan (AOP). Each office has one AOP for each Laboratory they work with.

When/Why It’s Used

The planning of lab projects occurs annually in Lab Planning within PM Bridge.

New Lab Planning in PM Bridge Key Changes and Benefits

Key Changes

• Offices only create a Lab Project once, documenting the full multi-year period of performance
• Projects can be modified at any time through an approval workflow process, eliminating the annual change control process
• Required data is reduced to focus on key project details needed for budget planning and execution

Benefits

• Consolidates multiple, disparate systems into a single data-centric project management system
• Restructures lab data to align with financial assistance data to enhance EERE portfolio data and budget analysis
• Reduces manual burden of redundant data entry caused by current process of copying projects every year & reducing required fields for project approval

Pathways to Lab Projects

There are three different ways that EERE can initiate a project to a National Lab.
•    Labs can apply as a prime recipient or a subrecipient of a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

•    Labs can apply to a Lab Call

•    Labs can be Directly Funded for specific research initiatives or lab projects. 

Lab Planning Process

NOFOs and Lab Calls are published and selected in EERE Program Information Center.  Data from the selected lab calls and NOFOs will soon automatically update to the lab planning module in PM Bridge. From here the lab project is created and the office or lab updates the project. 

Once in the Lab Planning Module, technology office and lab work together, maintaining a communication loop until the project details are finalized. Once the project has been finalized, the project is routed through an approval workflow to gain final approval. 
Once approved, projects can be modified at any time. All changes to the project are visible in the change control log.

Project data is automatically synced nightly in CPS to support Budget Execution activities and once approved, lab projects will be available in PM Bridge. You can view the full R&D portfolio in PM Bridge.

Lab Planning  Approval Workflow

Once project planning is complete, we submit the project for approval. By default, all projects will require approval from the EERE Project Lead, Office Administrator, and Office Director.

For more details, checkout How to Submit a Project for Approval

Modifying a Project

After a project has been approved, modifications can be made at any time. Identify the modification type.

Enter the modification details. Changes are tracked in Change History. Submit the modified project for approval.

The project is routed through the approval process and approved. For more details see How to Modify a Project

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