Back to ArticlesBack

Join 50,000+ PM Professionals

Get expert PM insights, PMP prep tips, and earn PDUs with exclusive content delivered weekly.

Protected by reCAPTCHA: Privacy & Terms

MPUG - Master Project User GroupMPUG - Master Project User Group

What is Earned Value Analysis?

žEV is KPIs that measure the Cost and Schedule performance of a project. žIt’s like a traffic light (green, orange and red), but better.
Here are the main blocks of the EV calculations:

Earned_Value_1

So What?

Earned value indicators that are variances or ratios can help you determine if there is enough money left in the budget and if the project will finish on time.

We Want +/0 Variance and >=1 Indicators

Earned_Value_2

Earned Value Little Story

Earned_Value_3

Earned_Value_2

EV = $50

CV = $50 – $100 = -$50

CPI = $50 / $100 = 0.5

SV = $50 – $70 = -$25

SPI = $50 / $75 = 0.67

To View Earned Value in Microsoft Project

  1. žClick on View tab
  2. žIn the ‘Data’ section click on Tables
  3. žChoose ‘More Tables’
  4. žChoose one of the Earned Value Tables:
    –  Earned Value
    –  Earned Value Cost Indicator
    –  Earned Value Schedule Indicator
  5. Hit ‘Apply’

Earned_Value_5

Get Weekly PM Insights

Join 50,000+ PMs receiving updates on the latest PM methodologies, PDU opportunities, tool reviews, career tips, and member exclusives.

Protected by reCAPTCHA: Privacy & Terms

PMI ATP
PMI Authorized Training Partner
REP #4082

Learning Paths

PMP® TrainingCAPM® TrainingPgMP® TrainingPMI-ACP® TrainingMS ProjectMS PlannerMS TeamsJira

PM Resources

PDU TrackerLive WebinarsSalary CalculatorTool ComparisonsJob BoardKnowledge BasePM Glossary

Community

Discussion ForumStudy GroupsEvents Calendar

Follow Us

LinkedInYouTubeTwitterFacebook
MPUG Logo

© 2026 MPUG. All rights reserved.

TermsPrivacySitemapAdvertise
Articles

Earned Value Demystified

What is Earned Value Analysis? žEV is KPIs that measure the Cost and Schedule performance of a project. žIt’s like a traffic light (green, orange and red), but better. Here are the main blocks […]

1 min read
•almost 13 years ago•Updated 6 months ago•
L
Laith AdelAuthor
Project Management
Microsoft Project
Best Practices
Productivity
L
Laith Adel

Content Writer

Laith Adel, Laith is Principal Consultant of EPM Partners in Australia. Laith has a strong background in Engineering, Project Management and Information Technology.  Laith has worked with the Microsoft Enterprise Project Management (EPM) solution, since its early versions, and participated in many of the largest EPM implementations across the world. Laith is also the chapter leader of the Microsoft Project Users Group (MPUG) in Sydney.

View all articles by Laith Adel
Related Content

Continue Reading

Discover more insights and articles that complement your current reading

What PMs Want From AI vs. What’s Actually Happening
Articles
1 min read

What PMs Want From AI vs. What’s Actually Happening

Most project managers want to master AI but few actually use it, and the current research shows the gap is a clarity problem, not a personal failing.

A
Anonymous
9 days ago
Read
Why the End of Project Online Might Be the Best Thing for Your Team
Articles
1 min read

Why the End of Project Online Might Be the Best Thing for Your Team

Project Online retires September 30, 2026, and Eric and Jeff Christoph make the case that the smartest move is a complete desktop project-controls environment, not a one-for-one swap.

A
Anonymous
20 days ago
Read
The Catch-22 Project: Why Some Projects Fail Before They Ever Begin
Articles
1 min read

The Catch-22 Project: Why Some Projects Fail Before They Ever Begin

Learn to spot a Catch-22 project, where contradictory requirements make progress impossible, and how to reframe the structure so your team can move forward.

A
Anonymous
20 days ago
Read
Explore All Articles