Introduction

The Integrated Master Plan (IMP) and the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) can provide significant assistance in planning and managing large, complex programs. The IMP is an event-driven plan that documents major accomplishments needed to complete a program and attaches each accomplishment to an important program milestone. It is a mutual agreement between the customers and a contractor on what defines the event-driven program, whereas the IMS defines sequential events and important decision points to evaluate program progress and performance. Integration management (IM) integrates all the knowledge areas in a program and ties the plan together into a seamless activity; it coordinates the various processes and execution activities within a program. Key integration elements covered in the are program scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, human resources management, communication management, risk management, procurement management, and formulas.