Centers based on decisions made by Agency senior management consistent with the results of the
Agency's strategic acquisition planning process. Because the scientific and exploration goals of
programs vary significantly, different program implementation strategies are required, ranging from
very simple to very complex. To accommodate these differences, NASA identifies four basic types
of programs (defined in Appendix A) that may be employed: single-project programs, uncoupled
programs, loosely coupled programs, and tightly coupled programs.
2.1.3 Single-Project Programs
2.1.3.1 Single-project programs are programs that implement their program objectives and
requirements through one of two management approaches: (1) separate program and project
structures or (2) a combined structure. The requirements for both programs and projects apply to
single-project programs as described in the NPR.
2.1.4 NASA Projects
2.1.4.1 As with programs, projects vary in scope and complexity and thus require varying levels of
management requirements and Agency attention and oversight. Consequently, project categorization
defines Agency expectations of project managers by determining both the oversight council and the
specific approval requirements. Projects are Category 1, 2, or 3 and shall be assigned to a category
based initially on: (1) the project life-cycle cost (LCC) estimate, the inclusion of significant
radioactive material
2
, and whether or not the system being developed is for human space flight;
and (2) the priority level, which is related to the importance of the activity to NASA, the extent of
international participation (or joint effort with other government agencies), the degree of uncertainty
surrounding the application of new or untested technologies, and spacecraft/payload development
risk classification. (See NPR 8705.4, Risk Classification for NASA Payloads.) Guidelines for
determining project categorization are shown in Table 2-1, but categorization may be changed based
on recommendations by the Mission Directorate Associate Administrator (MDAA) that consider
additional risk factors facing the project. The NASA Associate Administrator (AA) approves the
final project categorization. The Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE) is responsible for the official
listing of NASA programs and projects.
3
For purposes of project categorization, the project
life-cycle cost estimate includes phases A through F and all Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Level 2 elements and is measured in real-year (nominal) dollars.
2
Nuclear safety launch approval is required by the Administrator or Executive Office of the President when significant
radioactive materials are included on board the spacecraft and/or launch vehicle. (Levels are defined in NPR 8715.3, NASA
General Safety Program Requirements.)
3
This data is maintained by the Office of Chief Financial Officer in a database called the Meta-Data Manager (MdM). This
database is the basis for the Agency's work breakdown and forms the structure for program and project status reporting across all
Mission Directorates and Mission Support Offices.
Table 2-1 Project Categorization Guidelines
Priority Level LCC < $250M $250M < LCC < $1B
LCC > $1B,
significant
radioactive material,
or human
space flight