DCMA 14-Point Assessment Explained (with a Free Checker)
What Is the DCMA 14-Point Assessment?
The DCMA 14-point assessment is a standardized schedule health check developed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). It evaluates the quality and realism of a project schedule—typically in Primavera P6—by testing 14 specific metrics. Each metric has a defined threshold; if the schedule fails a metric, it indicates a potential weakness that could lead to unrealistic baselines or poor progress tracking. The assessment is widely used in government contracting and is often required for Earned Value Management (EVM) compliance.
Why does it exist? The DCMA saw that many contractor schedules looked good on paper but were structurally flawed—missing logic, excessive constraints, or unrealistic durations. The 14-point check provides an objective, repeatable way to catch these issues before they cause problems. It is not a pass/fail test for the project itself, but a health check on the schedule model.
The 14 Metrics: Thresholds and What Failure Means
Below is each metric, its threshold, and the implication of a failure. All metrics are based on the DCMA-EA PAM 200.1 guidance.
| # | Metric | Threshold | Failure Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Total Float | ≥ 44 days (or as specified by contract) | Schedule may have excessive float, hiding true critical path. |
| 2 | Longest Path | Critical path should be continuous | Disconnected critical path indicates logic gaps. |
| 3 | Critical Path Length Index (CPLI) | ≥ 0.80 | Schedule may be unrealistic; low CPLI suggests too little float to finish on time. |
| 4 | Critical Path | One continuous critical path | Multiple critical paths or breaks show logic issues. |
| 5 | BEI (Baseline Execution Index) | ≥ 0.80 | Poor progress; tasks not starting/finishing as planned. |
| 6 | Missing Logic | ≤ 5% of activities | Activities without predecessors or successors create dangling logic. |
| 7 | Negative Float | 0% of activities | Schedule is already late; negative float means missed dates. |
| 8 | High Float | ≤ 5% of activities with float > 44 days | Excessive float can mask schedule problems. |
| 9 | Invalid Dates | 0% of activities | Dates in the past or out of sequence indicate data errors. |
| 10 | Resources | All activities should have resources assigned | Unresourced activities may not be realistic. |
| 11 | Missed Tasks | ≤ 5% of activities | Tasks that should have started but haven’t indicate poor execution. |
| 12 | Critical Path Test | Critical path should drive project finish | If critical path changes when constraints are removed, schedule is flawed. |
| 13 | Schedule Margin | ≥ 5% of project duration (or as specified) | Insufficient margin for risk. |
| 14 | Logic Density | Average of 2–4 successors per activity | Too few or too many successors indicate over-simplification or over-complication. |
How to Run the DCMA 14-Point Assessment on a P6 XER for Free
You don’t need expensive software to run these checks. With Project Assure, a free browser-based tool, you can upload your P6 XER file and instantly see the DCMA 14-point results. Nothing is uploaded to a server—your XER is parsed locally in your browser, ensuring data privacy. The tool also provides GAO and NASA checks, EVM S-curves, and forensic baseline-vs-update comparison.
To run the assessment: export your schedule as an XER from Primavera P6, then go to the Project Assure website and select the DCMA 14-point check. The tool will highlight which metrics passed or failed, and provide detailed explanations. This makes it easy to identify issues before submitting your schedule to a customer.
Common Reasons Schedules Fail and How to Fix Them
Here are the most frequent failures and practical fixes:
- Missing Logic (Metric 6): Many schedules have open-ended activities. Fix: Ensure every activity (except the first and last) has at least one predecessor and one successor. Use the “Assign Driving” feature in P6 to check.
- Negative Float (Metric 7): Usually caused by constraints like “Finish No Later Than” that are earlier than the calculated finish. Fix: Remove or relax constraints, or adjust durations/lag to bring the finish date within the constraint.
- High Float (Metric 8): Activities with float > 44 days can hide schedule issues. Fix: Review these activities; they may need additional logic ties or be placed on a separate path.
- Invalid Dates (Metric 9): Dates in the past or inconsistent with the data date. Fix: Update the data date and ensure all actual dates are not future dates. Run a “Schedule Check” in P6 to find anomalies.
- Low CPLI (Metric 3): A CPLI below 0.80 means the critical path has insufficient float to absorb delays. Fix: Add schedule margin or reduce durations on the critical path. Consider re-sequencing work.
By addressing these common issues, you can improve your schedule’s DCMA score and create a more reliable project plan. The DCMA 14-point assessment is a valuable tool for quality control—use it early and often.
Run these checks free, in your browser
Free, browser-based Primavera P6 XER schedule analyser — DCMA 14-point, GAO & NASA checks, EVM/S-curve, and forensic baseline-vs-update comparison. Nothing is uploaded; your XER is parsed locally in the browser. 3 free analyses, no card required.
Analyse your XER →Frequently asked questions
What is the DCMA 14-point assessment?
It is a schedule health check developed by the Defense Contract Management Agency that evaluates 14 metrics to assess the quality and realism of a project schedule. It is commonly used in government contracting.
Do I need to purchase software to run the DCMA 14-point check?
No. Free tools like Project Assure allow you to upload your P6 XER file and run the DCMA 14-point assessment entirely in your browser without uploading data to any server.
What does a failure on the DCMA 14-point assessment mean?
A failure indicates a potential weakness in the schedule model, such as missing logic, excessive float, or unrealistic dates. It does not mean the project will fail, but it suggests areas that need improvement.
How can I fix negative float in my schedule?
Negative float typically occurs when a constraint forces a finish date earlier than the calculated finish. To fix it, remove or relax the constraint, or adjust durations and logic so the schedule can meet the required date.
What is the difference between DCMA 14-point and GAO schedule checks?
The DCMA 14-point focuses on schedule model health (logic, float, dates), while GAO checks assess schedule completeness and best practices (e.g., WBS, cost correlation). Both are complementary and often used together.