CPI

Earned Value Management in Construction: Turning Schedule and Cost Data Into Actual Project Performance Signals

Earned Value Management (EVM) combines schedule and cost data into performance indices (SPI, CPI) and forecasts (EAC, ETC) that show whether a project is actually on track — not just whether it's burning money or hitting milestones independently. EVM is standard on federal construction over certain thresholds, increasingly adopted on large private projects, and powerful for early detection of performance problems when implemented well. Getting EVM right requires specific measurement methodology that many contractors don't apply correctly.