Formula
EVM formula
CV = EV - AC; SV = EV - PV; CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV; EAC = BAC / CPIUse one scope baseline, progress rule, currency, and reporting date before comparing EV, PV, AC, and BAC.
EVM Calculator
Use this EVM calculator to separate cost risk from schedule risk before project recovery decisions are made.
Planning estimate
Live calculator
EVM calculator
StatusCost and schedule risk
-$40,000 cost variance and -$40,000 schedule variance.
CPI0.91
Earned value divided by actual cost.
SPI0.91
Earned value divided by planned value.
Earned value summary
Keep EV, PV, AC, and BAC on the same scope, progress rule, currency, and reporting date.
| EVM measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Earned value | $420,000 |
| Planned value | $460,000 |
| Actual cost | $460,000 |
| Cost variance | -$40,000 |
| Schedule variance | -$40,000 |
| Cost performance index | 0.91 |
| Schedule performance index | 0.91 |
| Estimate at completion | $985,714 |
| Estimate to complete | $525,714 |
| Variance at completion | -$85,714 |
Planning note
EVM is only as reliable as the progress rule and reporting boundary. Use it with schedule risk, scope changes, quality signals, and delivery context before changing commitments.
Planning comparison only. Check estimates, omitted costs, timing, and constraints before making an operating decision.
How to use
Steps
- Enter earned value for completed work under the project progress rule.
- Enter planned value and actual cost for the same scope and reporting date.
- Add budget at completion if you want EAC, ETC, and VAC planning outputs.
- Read CPI and SPI together before deciding whether the issue is cost, schedule, or both.
Example
Sample calculation
Earned value$420,000
Planned value$460,000
Actual cost$460,000
StatusCost and schedule risk
Calculator use
Best for
- Pricing, runway, cash flow, or work assumptions before an operating decision.
- Base, conservative, and optimistic cases with visible inputs.
Before relying on it
Check first
- Use one scope baseline, progress rule, currency, and reporting date before comparing EV, PV, AC, and BAC.
- Mixing scenarios, units, or time periods in one comparison.
- Leaving out material costs, capacity limits, uncertainty, or dependencies.
Details
What to know before using the result
Cost signalCV and CPI
Negative CV and CPI below 1.00 indicate the project is earning less value per dollar spent.
Schedule signalSV and SPI
Negative SV and SPI below 1.00 indicate earned progress is behind the planned value baseline.
Forecast boundaryEAC from current CPI
The EAC estimate assumes current cost performance continues; update it when recovery plans or scope change.
Source notes
References used for this calculator
Benchmarks
How to read the result
Cost variance: EV - AC.
Positive is favorable; negative means actual cost is higher than earned value.
Schedule variance: EV - PV.
Positive is favorable; negative means earned progress is behind planned value.
Performance indexes: CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV.
Values above 1.00 are favorable; values below 1.00 indicate cost or schedule pressure.
Calculator accuracy
Methodology and assumptions
Formula, inputs, limitations and review record
Formula
CV = EV - AC; SV = EV - PV; CPI = EV / AC; SPI = EV / PV; EAC = BAC / CPI
Inputs used
Earned value, Planned value, Actual cost, Budget at completion
Limitations
Business results depend on contracts, accounting treatment, taxes, payment timing, refunds, collections, and operating assumptions.
Review record
Catalog QA baseline on June 6, 2026. This date marks the catalog-wide automated and editorial QA baseline, not a tool-specific expert review.
Cite this page
Toolkit Shelf. EVM Calculator. https://toolkitshelf.com/tools/evm-calculator
FAQ
Common questions
What is the difference between CPI and SPI?
CPI compares earned value with actual cost. SPI compares earned value with planned value. One can look healthy while the other is at risk.
When does EVM become misleading?
EVM becomes misleading when EV, PV, AC, and BAC are not tied to the same scope, progress rule, reporting date, and currency.
Does EVM replace a project forecast?
No. It is an early warning system. Use it with updated scope, schedule risk, quality risk, and recovery assumptions before making commitments.
Leave passwords, account numbers, and private medical or tax information out of your report.