DESCRIPTION

This document guides you through monitoring your projects in PM Bridge. It helps you quickly understand how to track project information, timelines, and work breakdown structures (WBS), ensuring you have a clear overview of your project's progress and details.

pushpin All sections are managed with an accordion-style page reveal. Click the + sign in the upper left corner to expand all sections or click the + sign next to an individual section to expand it. Click the - sign to reduce a section.

STEP 1: View Project Information

When you select a project and a modification in the Action Panel Header, you'll see a consolidated view of critical project details in the Project Information section. This section helps you quickly grasp the essential overview of your project.

  • Locate the Project Bridge ID, a unique, auto-generated number that identifies your project within PM Bridge.

  • Understand the type of Lab project by checking the Work Category. Options include NOFO Award, Prime NOFO Award, Subcontract: Operational Activity, or Lab Planning Project - Direct Funded Lab Project.

  • See if your project is funded from the Base CMEI budget or through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) budget under Authority. This data comes from EDC.

  • Find the Project Type. For FA and Lab Projects, you will manually enter this information. All other fields in this section are read-only unless you are in the current modification.

    • To Update Project Type: Click the dropdown menu and select if the project is Demonstration, Education and Outreach, Other, or Research and Development.

    • Click your selection, and a 'Save' option will appear.

    • Click save to update the project type.

  • View the Announcement Number and Announcement Title related to your project. This information is imported from eXCHANGE or STRIPES.

STEP 2: Review the Project Timeline

This section, like Project Information, customizes its display based on your selected Project and Modification in the Action Panel Header. You will find all relevant timeline details here.

  • Review the Project Fiscal Year, Assistance Agreement Issue Date (for FA only)

  • Start Date (of project)

  • End Date (of project)

  • Month of Project

  • Mod Authorized Date

    • All these fields are read-only and visible in both summary and detailed Action Panel views.

STEP 3: Manage the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

You can edit WBS data only for the current modification of an FA project. For lab projects, these fields are read-only.

  • The Fiscal Year is a read-only text box that automatically reflects the project's fiscal year.

  • Choose the Program from the dropdown. This selection is restricted by the project's fiscal year and office, utilizing the most recent WBS structure available.

    • Changing the program will update available activities and clear any previously selected activity.

  • Pick an Activity from the editable dropdown. Activities are restricted by your selected Program.

    •  Changing the activity will update available sub-activities and clear any previously selected sub-activity.

  • Choose a Sub-activity from the editable dropdown. Sub-activities are restricted by your selected Activity.

  • The WBS Prefix is a read-only text box, consisting of the prefix numbers from the selected Program, Activity, and Sub-activity.

  • Input the WBS Number into the editable text box.

    • It accepts alphanumeric characters only, with a maximum of 15 characters.

STEP 4: View and Edit Project Title and Description

 This section displays your project's title and a description that includes any issues or major research and development challenges. This section is only available in the expanded (large) view and will be open by default.

  • Control the public visibility of your project description using the Use Project Description Indicator.

  • You can edit this indicator only if you are working on the current modification of your project.

    • If Indicator is Yes: The Public Description becomes read-only and mirrors the Project Description.

      • This description of the project can be used for external communication.

    • If Indicator is No: The Public Description is editable (if it's the current modification).

      • Type a description 

    • Changing from No to Yes: The Public Description will automatically be set to the Project Description.

    • Changing from Yes to No: The Public Description will be cleared (set to null).

  • After typing or updating the public description, a 'Save' button will appear.

  • Click it to save your description or select 'Reset' to discard changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why can't I edit some fields in the Project Information or Timeline sections?
    Most fields in these sections are read-only to ensure data consistency and accuracy. You can only edit the 'Project Type' field and WBS data, and only if you are working on the current modification of an FA project. All other fields are for viewing project details.

  2. What does the 'Modification' in the 'Action Panel Header' mean and why is it important?
    The 'Modification' refers to a specific version or update of your project. Selecting a particular modification ensures that you are viewing and potentially editing the correct and most up-to-date information for that specific stage of your project. It dictates which data is displayed in the Project Information, Timeline, and WBS sections.

  3. I changed the Program in the WBS section, and now my Activity and Sub-activity fields are empty. Is this normal?
    Yes, this is expected behavior. When you change the 'Program', the system needs to update the available 'Activities' to match the new program's structure. Similarly, changing an 'Activity' will clear and update 'Sub-activities' to ensure you are selecting from relevant options within the chosen program and activity.

  4. The Public Description toggle is set to 'Yes' but I need to write a custom description. How can I do this?
    If the 'Use Project Description Indicator' is set to 'Yes', the Public Description automatically copies the Project Description and becomes read-only. To write a custom Public Description, you must change this toggle to 'No'. Once set to 'No' (and if you are in the current modification), you will be able to edit the Public Description independently. Remember to save your changes.

Contact Helpdesk

Project Management (PM) Bridge - Service project