Integrated Master Plan (IMP)

The Integrated Master Plan (IMP) is an event-based, top-level plan consisting of a hierarchy of Program Events. Each event is decomposed into specific accomplishments and each specific accomplishment is decomposed into specific Criteria. The IMP is ultimately used to develop a time-based Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) to show a networked, multi-layered schedule showing all the detailed tasks required to accomplish the work effort contained in the IMP. The IMP and IMS are related to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). The IMP provides a Program Manager (PM) with a systematic approach to planning, scheduling, and execution.

Definition: The Integrated Master Plan (IMP) is composed of a group of hierarchy program events, in which each program event is supported by Accomplishment, and Criteria to satisfy a specific program goal.

The Main Elements of an Integrated Master Plan (IMP)

The three (3) elements of the IMP are:

Event: a program assessment point that occurs at the culmination of significant program activities
Accomplishment: is the desired result(s) prior to or at the completion of an event that indicates a level of the program’s progress
Criteria: provides definitive evidence that a specific accomplishment has been completed

The Goal of the Integrated Master Plan (IMP)

The IMP provides insight to the PM, contractor, and Program Management Office (PMO), which enables them to: [1]

Identify and assess actual progress vs. planned progress
Monitor the program Critical Path and help to develop a workaround to problem areas
Assess the status of risk management activities based on the inclusion of program Risk Mitigation activities in the IMP and IMS
Assess the progress on selected Key Performance Parameters (KPP), Key System Attributes (KSA), and Technical Performance Measures (TPM)
Provide an objective, quantitative basis for the contractor’s performance assessment rating and award fee
Help develop and support “What-ifs” exercises and identify and assess candidate problems workarounds
Provide better insight into potential follow-on efforts that are not part of the original Statement of Work (SOW)

The 5 Steps in Developing the Integrated Master Plan (IMP) [1]

Step 1: Determine the IMP structure and organization
Step 2: Identify events, accomplishments, and criteria
Step 3: Prepare the introduction and narrative section
Step 4: Complete the numbering system
Step 5: Iterate events, accomplishments, and criteria with the Integrated Product Team (IPT) during IMS development

Main Integrated Master Plan (IMP) Reference

The user guide below is a great place to start when developing an IMP. The guide will showcase the main areas an IMP should address.

Guide: DoD Integrated Master Plan and Integrated Master Schedule Preparation and User Guide

How the Integrated Master Plan (IMP) relates to the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)

The IMP and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) are linked together and show that a program is adequately planned and has the potential to achieve its goals and objectives within a program’s schedule and cost constraints. The IMP and IMS are valuable tools a PM can use in preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) and Source Selection. It can serve as the basis of an offeror’s proposal and evaluation criteria.

The IMP and IMS are Program Management tools for program personnel and stakeholders to provide oversight of acquisition programs. They provide a systematic approach to program planning, scheduling, and execution.

What is the difference between an Integrated Master Plan (IMP) and an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)

The main difference between an IMP and IMS is that the IMP is an event-based, top-down planning tool, and the IMS is a time-based, bottom-up execution tool. They both are linked together and show that a program is adequately planned and has the potential to achieve its goals and objectives within a program’s schedule and cost constraints.

How the Integrated Master Plan (IMP) relates to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The product-based Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), as described in MIL-STD-881, is related to the Integrated Master Plan (IMP) and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) by providing a second type of view on the effort for different audiences or provides a combination that gives a better overall understanding. When a deliverable product is involved in an Event, Accomplishment), or Criteria, the IMP/IMS and WBS are linked together via the WBS numbering.