DESCRIPTION

This document addresses frequently asked questions regarding lab planning to help you understand common challenges and their resolutions.

Lab Planning Projects 

Q. Can we have multiple tasks in one agreement in PM Bridge like we could in the AOP tool?

A. Tasks have been migrated from the AOP tool into the Lab Planning feature. You will be able to enter/edit/remove tasks in the Lab Planning feature. However, tasks are not currently available in PM Bridge.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Q. How does PM Bridge handle projects where more than one lab is participating on a project task and activities?

A. Each AOP project is created individually between an office and a single lab. A method to link those projects together when multiple labs are working together is being developed but is not currently available. 


Q. Are lab PIs able to input new AOPs for review/approval by HQ folks? 

A. While labs can create a project, only CMEI staff can submit a project for approval. 


Q. Is there a batch upload process available or does every AOP need to be entered manually through the GUI?

A. There is currently not a batch upload process. Each AOP Project needs to be manually entered. 


Q. If an office has several projects with the same Laboratory, should all of them be combined under one AOP? 

A. Each AOP project will continue to be created individually. 


Q. Tasks seem to show all tasks over the entire AOP duration. Can this be filtered down to those with end dates within a selectable time period?

A. This is a suggestion that will be added to the backlog as a future enhancement. 


Q. How is a new lab PI added (is it HQ or lab responsibility)?

A. First, Lab users need to register for the Technical POC role in PM Bridge. Then, a DOE user (or other project DOE/Recipient team member) should assign that Lab User to the project by adding the lab user as a Principal Investigator on the "Recipient Team" page. The Lab Principal Investigator can be added or updated by either an CMEI HQ user or a Lab user. 


Q. How does the signature page portion of the final director/LRM approvals work?

A. This is in reference to the Full FY AOP. This functionality is not available in the system today. The system is planning to have the ability to document these approvals so that approvals can be captured offline and the individual in your office, who is your office administrator, would be able to document the approval for those in the system. 


Q. When do you expect the Full FY AOP approval process to be available? 

A. Offices are currently able to plan and approve individual AOP projects in Lab Planning, including multi-year AOP projects. The final Full FY AOP Approval process will be available in the system to support CMEI deadlines for having all Full FY AOPs approved.