Earned value (EV) has grown in popularity over the last several years. With 76% of IT projects failing (Crawford, 2002), project management and control systems must be implemented to ensure IT project success. EV is an essential tool that often is not utilized because it is misunderstood. This simplified approach to understanding EV is an early indicator and forecaster of project progress. Earned value shows a three dimensional view of project progress. Learn how EV links to the work breakdown structure (WBS) the schedule and the budget.

From this presentation you will see the benefit of implementing an EV methodology on all your projects, starting now! To fully appreciate EV, you must understand how the performance measurement baseline links to the WBS, the schedule and the budget. If earned value is to be used, it must first be understood. Often the misunderstanding of how EV management systems are created results in the avoidance of this powerful project management reporting tool. A simple and easy-to-understand approach to EV will be presented to allow you to build upon and master EV techniques.