Using EVM with MS Project 2016

Using EVM Capability of Microsoft Project 2016

Earned Value Management (EVM) is one of the well-defined project tracking methods. PMI® (Project Management Institute) recommends this technique in its book – PMBOK® Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide).

MS Project 2016 Professional and it earlier versions like MS Project 2013 and MS Project 2010 fully support EVM. Microsoft Project has inbuilt fields for all EVM measurements.

Earned Value Management

In Earned Value Management we track the cost and schedule performance by measuring three parameters – Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV) and Actual Cost (AC). EVM converts all progress into cost and compare these values to measure progress.

EVM Terms:

Using EVM in MS Project

MS Project has all EVM term inbuilt and can be calculated at any point of time in the project life cycle. However to use Earned Value Management, we must remember few things…

Important things to remember for using EVM in MS Project 2016

1. Project schedule

We should prepare a project schedule and get the stakeholder’s concurrence on the same before executing it. For better progress monitoring, project scheduled be as detailed as possible. More the detailing we do, our progress measurement and forecast will be more precise and accurate.

2. Baseline

Once the project schedule is agreed up, we must baseline the schedule otherwise EVM parameters cannot be calculated. Establishing a performance baseline gives us a reference point to compare the project progress with respect to duration, efforts, cost and dates.

In case of multiple baselines, we should define the baseline against which we will measure the performance. Go to the File, choose Options, select Advance in left navigation panel and scroll down on the right panel until you see “Earned Value Options for this project”. Click on drop down for “Baseline for Earned Value calculations” and select the baseline you want to set for measuring progress.

3. Resource and resource rates

We must list all the resources in resource sheet, provide their cost or bill rates and assign them to tasks. As the EVM is a cost based measurement techniques, assigning resources to each task and defining cost or billing rate for each resource is necessary. We will not be able to measure performance of any task using EVM if either we have not assigned resources to the task or resource rates are not defined for the resources assigned to that task.

4. Updating accurate actual data

Obviously progress cannot be measured until actual progress data is updated. EVM tells us – are we delayed, on time or ahead of plan, are we over budget, on budget or under budget, at what rate we are progressing, how much more we need to spend to complete the project, forecasted cost at completion etc.? To measure these schedule and cost performance, it is important that actual data of accomplishment & cost is updated in MS Project in a timely manner. We should also update remaining duration or work for ongoing and future tasks if there is any change from the planned duration or work. Better the accuracy of actual data, better will be performance measurements.

EVM Measurements in Microsoft Project 2016

MS Project provide tables and reports to measure for EVM reporting. Following views, tables and reports can be used for EVM measurement and reporting

1. Earned Value Table

Earned Value table can be found as follows. Go to View Tab, click on Tables drop down and select More Tables to open More Table dialogue box. Select Earned Value. It will show following EVM measurements – PV, EV, AC, SV, CV, BAC, EAC and VAC for tasks scheduled in the project.

2. Earned Value Cost Indicator Table

Earned Value Cost Indicator table can be found as follows. Go to View Tab, click on Tables drop down and select More Tables to open More Table dialogue box. Select Earned Value Cost Indicator table. It will show following EVM measurements – PV, EV, CV, CPI, BAC, EAC, VAC and TCPI.

3. Earned Value Schedule Indicator Table

Earned Value Cost Indicator table can be found as follows. Go to View Tab, click on Tables drop down and select More Tables to open More Table dialogue box. Select Earned Value Schedule Indicator table. It will show following EVM measurements – PV, EV, SV and SPI.

4. Earned Value Report

Earned Value Report is a report that sketch earned value graph based on values of PV, EV and AC. It is a pictorial representation of progress from start of the project until date of measurement. It can be found as follows – Go to Report Tab, click on Cost drop down and select Earned Value Report. You can customize the report using Pivotal section of the report.

5. Earned Value Report Over Time

Earned Value Over Time Report is same as Earned Value Report and sketches earned value graph based on values of PV, EV and AC. It is a visual report and can be found as follows – Go to Report Tab and click on Visual Reports. It will open a Visual Report dialogue box. Select Earned Value Over Time Report. It will open an Earn Value graph in Excel. You can customize the report using Pivotal section and Assignment Usage Sheet.

Earned Value Graph in MS Project Reports

I hope it will make it convenient for you to use EVM with Microsoft Project. Please share your view and experience in the comments section below. I look forward to read your views.

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