Publications / 2006 Proceedings of the 23rd ISARC, Tokyo, Japan

Improving Traditional Earned Value Management by Incorporating Statistical Process Charts

Sou-Sen Leu, You-Che Lin, Tao-An Chen, Yann-Yih Ho
Pages 275-280 (2006 Proceedings of the 23rd ISARC, Tokyo, Japan, ISBN 9784990271718, ISSN 2413-5844)
Abstract:

The earned value management (EVM) approach is considered to be the most objective method available in the measurement of project performances. Nevertheless, the method is limited and does not directly account for variation in individual performance values about a normal or natural level of project performances. Because of that, conventional EVM may cause some project managers to ignore the information that it can provide about the performance trends of their projects as well as their causes and effects. This paper attempts to refine and improve the performance of traditional EVM by the introduction of statistical control chart techniques. Individual control charts are used as tools to monitor variation in performances so that adverse changes can be detected in a timely manner. This allows analysis of in-progress project cost and schedule trends and highlights possible needs for corrective action. In conclusion, the proposed SPC control chart techniques used in EVM can effectively assist managers to timely monitor and manage project performance.

Keywords: project performance, earned value, statistical control charts, cause-and-effect analysis