Plan of Action defines the clear goal or objective for the plan. What information is generally NOT a part of a plan of action?

A Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) is a formal document used to track and manage the remediation of identified security weaknesses. According to foundational standards like NIST SP 800-53, which heavily influences CMMC, a POA&M's essential components include a description of the weakness, the responsible individual or office (ownership), key milestones, and scheduled completion dates. While the plan may identify the resources required (e.g., personnel, technology), it does not typically contain detailed, line-item budget requirements. Budgeting is a related but separate organizational financial planning process that enables the remediation actions described in the POA&M.

A. Completion dates: These are a fundamental component of a POA&M, establishing a clear timeline for when a security weakness will be fully remediated.

B. Milestones to measure progress: The "M" in POA&M stands for Milestones; they are critical for tracking incremental progress toward the final completion date.

C. Ownership of who is accountable for ensuring plan performance: Assigning a responsible individual or office is essential for accountability and ensuring the plan is executed.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations (NIST Special Publication 800-53

Revision 5). U.S. Department of Commerce.

Reference: Appendix J

"Plan of Action and Milestones

" provides a template and description of the essential elements. The template includes fields for "Scheduled Completion Date

" "Milestones with Completion Dates

" and "Responsible Office

" but does not include a field for "Budget." It lists "Resources Required

" which is a broader category than specific budget figures.

2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations (NIST Special Publication 800-171

Revision 2). U.S. Department of Commerce.

Reference: Section 3.12.2 requires organizations to "develop and implement plans of action designed to correct deficiencies and reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities in organizational systems." The focus is on the corrective actions

timelines

and responsibilities

not the financial accounting for them within the plan itself.

3. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). (2002). Reporting Instructions for the Government Information Security Reform Act and Updated Guidance on Security Plans of Action and Milestones (M-02-01).

Reference: This foundational memorandum outlines the required contents for a POA&M for federal agencies. It specifies fields such as weakness

responsible official

resources required

scheduled completion date

and milestones

but does not mandate the inclusion of specific budget costs within the POA&M document.