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DCMA EVMS Compliance Metrics

DCMA EVMS Compliance Metrics (DECM)

Government Standards Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Oct 2026
Quick definition: The DCMA EVMS Compliance Metrics (DECM) are the Defense Contract Management Agency's standard set of tests for checking whether a contractor's Earned Value Management System is working as the EIA-748 guidelines require.

It includes more than 100 tests, organized by EIA-748 guideline. Most are automated checks run against a contractor's cost, schedule, and EVM data; others are manual checks that need a reviewer's judgment or supporting documents. Many cover the schedule, such as missing logic, dangling starts and finishes, constraints, and actual dates in the future. DCMA updates DECM periodically, and each metric is assigned a priority tier (Standard, Conditional or Low) so surveillance can focus on risk. Check DCMA's EVMS website for the current version.

What this means for you

DECM is how DCMA checks EVMS compliance on an ongoing basis, so contractors who run the same tests on their own data can find and fix problems before a surveillance review does.

Also known as
DCMA EVMS Compliance Metrics
Used in
DCMA EVMS surveillance; contractor self-assessment; schedule and EVM data health analysis

FAQ

Is DECM the same as the DCMA 14-Point Assessment?
No. The 14 points are a short schedule-health check. DECM is a much larger set of compliance tests covering the whole EVMS, including the schedule.
Do the DECM metrics change?
Yes. DCMA revises them periodically, so contractors should check which version applies.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
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