Getting an early indicator of deviations from the project plan can be a game changer for project managers. This is precisely the main benefit of the earned value method, and its diligent application can do wonders for a project manager's career. Planned Value, usually abbreviated as PV, is one of the fundamental inputs of the Earned Value Management System. It is … [Read more...]
How to Prevent Scope Creep
Like termites that build their invisible kingdoms secretly and slowly, projects have a similar parasite that grows under the surface until it suddenly exposes itself with disastrous consequences. It's called scope creep, and it has eaten many projects alive. Scope creep is the unauthorized addition of tasks into a project. If the project manager is not on the lookout, … [Read more...]
Cost Variance – Earned Value Management
In project management, getting an early indication of problems is the silver bullet that allows the project manager to correct the problems before they start. Cost Variance, usually abbreviated as CV, is one of the fundamental outputs of Earned Value Management. It tells the project manager how far ahead or behind the project is at the point of analysis, usually right … [Read more...]
What is Schedule Variance?
In project management, getting an early indication of problems is the silver bullet that allows the project manager to correct the problems before they start. Schedule Variance, usually abbreviated as SV, is one of the fundamental outputs of Earned Value Management. It tells the project manager how far ahead or behind the project is at the point of analysis (usually … [Read more...]
The Earned Value Formulas
Earned Value is a method of calculating project status. It does this from two perspectives: Time (schedule) and Cost. After applying the earned value method the project manager will know whether the project is: behind or ahead of schedule. over or under budget. In this post we will outline each formula in the earned value management system. The first three … [Read more...]
The 8 Steps to Earned Value Analysis
It's amazing how many projects do not know their true status until near the end, when there is little that can be done to ensure they finish on time or budget. The proper time to rigorously track project status is at the beginning, not at the end. This is when project risk can be managed and changes made to get it back on track. Earned value analysis is the … [Read more...]
The Earned Value Method
Everybody has heard of a project whose cost spiralled out of control. Even big megaprojects where the difference measures in the billions are not immune to cost pressures. In fact, they are even more likely to go over budget. What is the official project management methodology for controlling project costs? To answer this question, we consult the … [Read more...]
How to Perform the Earned Value Calculations
The earned value method is the project management standard for cost control during a project. Whether you are a practicing project manager or studying for the PMP exam, you need to know how to calculate earned value. Fortunately, it involves nothing more than basic high school math. The more difficult part is knowing what each of the variables means and how … [Read more...]
How to Stop Scope Creep
Like termites that build their invisible kingdoms secretly and slowly, projects have a similar parasite that grows under the surface until it suddenly exposes itself with disastrous consequences. It's called scope creep, and it has eaten many projects alive. Scope creep is the unauthorized addition of tasks into a project. If the project manager is not on … [Read more...]
Schedule Variance (Earned Value Analysis)
In project management, getting an early indication of problems is the silver bullet that allows the project manager to correct the problems before they start. Schedule Variance, usually abbreviated as SV, is one of the fundamental outputs of the Earned Value Management System. It tells the project manager how far ahead or behind the project is at the point of analysis, … [Read more...]