Project 2003 - Calculation of Earned Value Metrics at Summary Task

[Simon Osbourn]

I am using MS project 2003 to do earned value in hours, hence resource costs
are all set to 1.0:
Why does the BCWS at a summary task not equal the sum of the BCWS for its
subtasks?
Why does the EAC of the summary task not equal the sum of the EAC for
subtasks?
Why does the BAC of the summary task not equal the sum of BAC for subtasks?
Why does the VAC of the summary tasks not equal the sum VAC for subtasks?
Project seems to be producing negative values for TCPI, why is this?

e.g.
WBS Task BCWS BCWP ACWP SV CV CPI SPI TCPI EAC BAC VAC

70281.3.1.1 LAS Installer FTS 27 39 22 12 16 1.73 1.45 -2.82 15 27
11
70281.3.1.1.1 LAS Installer TPS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.2 LAS Installer WPTS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.3 LAS Installer RTGS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.4 LAS Installer FTS Review 4 4 1 0 3 3.32 1.00 0.00 1 4
3
70281.3.1.1.5 LAS Installer FTS Re-work 1 3 3 3 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 3
3 0
70281.3.1.1.6 LAS Installer Re-Work 2 9 9 9 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 9 9
0
70281.3.1.1.7 LAS Installer Draft Complete 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 1.00
0 1 1

 

[Jim Aksel]

Hello - Would you mind sending me the file (or at least a small section of
it?) to jeaksel (at) yahoo (dot) com.

If you need to santize it, just change all the task names to the WBS numbers
or to random letters.

One usual cause for this problem is deleting a task after it was baselined
without removing it from the baseline.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Simon Osbourn]

Files sent as requested, could not identify from FAQ how to remove a task
from baseline before deleting it. This porject is using rolling wave
planning so if this is the problem it would be at least a 3 monthly event and
planning packages are converted to delivery packages.

 

[Marty]

I am using MS project 2003 to do earned value in hours, hence resource costs
are all set to 1.0:
Why does the BCWS at a summary task not equal the sum of the BCWS for its
subtasks?
Why does the EAC of the summary task not equal the sum of the EAC for
subtasks?
Why does the BAC of the summary task not equal the sum of BAC for subtasks?
Why does the VAC of the summary tasks not equal the sum VAC for subtasks?
Project seems to be producing negative values for TCPI, why is this?

e.g.
WBS Task BCWS BCWP ACWP SV CV CPI SPI TCPI EAC BAC VAC

70281.3.1.1 LAS Installer FTS 27 39 22 12 16 1.73 1.45 -2.82 15 27
11
70281.3.1.1.1 LAS Installer TPS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.2 LAS Installer WPTS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.3 LAS Installer RTGS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.4 LAS Installer FTS Review 4 4 1 0 3 3.32 1.00 0.00 1 4
3
70281.3.1.1.5 LAS Installer FTS Re-work 1 3 3 3 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 3
3 0
70281.3.1.1.6 LAS Installer Re-Work 2 9 9 9 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 9 9
0
70281.3.1.1.7 LAS Installer Draft Complete 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 1.00
0 1 1

Simon EV calcs in Project are confusing because the tool uses the
Current date/Status date to determine planned and earned value ( not
what you want). You basically need to calculate your own figures.

A simple and effective work around is to use custom fields (Tools,
Customise, Fields), select a Cost field, eg Cost1 and rename it "Calc
EV". Under formula enter the formula = [Baseline Cost]*[% Complete]
the define "Rollup" method to summaries to be "sum". It should work
1st time every time and give you no more grief.

 

[Jim Aksel]

This work around will not correct the problem, only mask it. This work
around will not address CPI, SPI, SV, CV (or their %'s) which are calculated
by Project using the [BCWP] field. This would mean defining fields and
formulas for these parameters as well.

The problem lays in the file with the EV Method -- I sent an email to Simon
separately.
He needs to adopt the same EV method throughout the file. Project does a
pretty good job of EV, if there are errors it is better to investigate and
resolve the problem rather than brute force around it.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

I am using MS project 2003 to do earned value in hours, hence resource costs
are all set to 1.0:
Why does the BCWS at a summary task not equal the sum of the BCWS for its
subtasks?
Why does the EAC of the summary task not equal the sum of the EAC for
subtasks?
Why does the BAC of the summary task not equal the sum of BAC for subtasks?
Why does the VAC of the summary tasks not equal the sum VAC for subtasks?
Project seems to be producing negative values for TCPI, why is this?

e.g.
WBS Task BCWS BCWP ACWP SV CV CPI SPI TCPI EAC BAC VAC

70281.3.1.1 LAS Installer FTS 27 39 22 12 16 1.73 1.45 -2.82 15 27
11
70281.3.1.1.1 LAS Installer TPS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.2 LAS Installer WPTS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.3 LAS Installer RTGS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.4 LAS Installer FTS Review 4 4 1 0 3 3.32 1.00 0.00 1 4
3
70281.3.1.1.5 LAS Installer FTS Re-work 1 3 3 3 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 3
3 0
70281.3.1.1.6 LAS Installer Re-Work 2 9 9 9 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 9 9
0
70281.3.1.1.7 LAS Installer Draft Complete 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 1.00
0 1 1

Simon EV calcs in Project are confusing because the tool uses the
Current date/Status date to determine planned and earned value ( not
what you want). You basically need to calculate your own figures.

A simple and effective work around is to use custom fields (Tools,
Customise, Fields), select a Cost field, eg Cost1 and rename it "Calc
EV". Under formula enter the formula = [Baseline Cost]*[% Complete]
the define "Rollup" method to summaries to be "sum". It should work
1st time every time and give you no more grief.

 

[Simon Osbourn]

The Solution proposed by Jim off line worked well and fully resolved the
problem I was having. His assistance is very much appreciated!
--
Simon Osbourn

This work around will not correct the problem, only mask it. This work
around will not address CPI, SPI, SV, CV (or their %'s) which are calculated
by Project using the [BCWP] field. This would mean defining fields and
formulas for these parameters as well.

The problem lays in the file with the EV Method -- I sent an email to Simon
separately.
He needs to adopt the same EV method throughout the file. Project does a
pretty good job of EV, if there are errors it is better to investigate and
resolve the problem rather than brute force around it.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

I am using MS project 2003 to do earned value in hours, hence resource costs
are all set to 1.0:
Why does the BCWS at a summary task not equal the sum of the BCWS for its
subtasks?
Why does the EAC of the summary task not equal the sum of the EAC for
subtasks?
Why does the BAC of the summary task not equal the sum of BAC for subtasks?
Why does the VAC of the summary tasks not equal the sum VAC for subtasks?
Project seems to be producing negative values for TCPI, why is this?

e.g.
WBS Task BCWS BCWP ACWP SV CV CPI SPI TCPI EAC BAC VAC

70281.3.1.1 LAS Installer FTS 27 39 22 12 16 1.73 1.45 -2.82 15 27
11
70281.3.1.1.1 LAS Installer TPS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.2 LAS Installer WPTS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.3 LAS Installer RTGS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.4 LAS Installer FTS Review 4 4 1 0 3 3.32 1.00 0.00 1 4
3
70281.3.1.1.5 LAS Installer FTS Re-work 1 3 3 3 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 3
3 0
70281.3.1.1.6 LAS Installer Re-Work 2 9 9 9 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 9 9
0
70281.3.1.1.7 LAS Installer Draft Complete 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 1.00
0 1 1

Simon EV calcs in Project are confusing because the tool uses the
Current date/Status date to determine planned and earned value ( not
what you want). You basically need to calculate your own figures.

A simple and effective work around is to use custom fields (Tools,
Customise, Fields), select a Cost field, eg Cost1 and rename it "Calc
EV". Under formula enter the formula = [Baseline Cost]*[% Complete]
the define "Rollup" method to summaries to be "sum". It should work
1st time every time and give you no more grief.

 

[Doug H.]

Jim
It sounds like the same problem I am having. 2 of my 6 sub-summary tasks
are calculating BCWS incorrectly. the detailed tasks themselves are all
correct. The file appears to have '% Complete' as the EV method although I
haven't checked every task yet.

Can you let me know what the fix is please?

Doug

This work around will not correct the problem, only mask it. This work
around will not address CPI, SPI, SV, CV (or their %'s) which are calculated
by Project using the [BCWP] field. This would mean defining fields and
formulas for these parameters as well.

The problem lays in the file with the EV Method -- I sent an email to Simon
separately.
He needs to adopt the same EV method throughout the file. Project does a
pretty good job of EV, if there are errors it is better to investigate and
resolve the problem rather than brute force around it.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim
It''s software; it''s not allowed to win.

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for FAQs and more information
about Microsoft Project

I am using MS project 2003 to do earned value in hours, hence resource costs
are all set to 1.0:
Why does the BCWS at a summary task not equal the sum of the BCWS for its
subtasks?
Why does the EAC of the summary task not equal the sum of the EAC for
subtasks?
Why does the BAC of the summary task not equal the sum of BAC for subtasks?
Why does the VAC of the summary tasks not equal the sum VAC for subtasks?
Project seems to be producing negative values for TCPI, why is this?

e.g.
WBS Task BCWS BCWP ACWP SV CV CPI SPI TCPI EAC BAC VAC

70281.3.1.1 LAS Installer FTS 27 39 22 12 16 1.73 1.45 -2.82 15 27
11
70281.3.1.1.1 LAS Installer TPS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.2 LAS Installer WPTS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.3 LAS Installer RTGS 8 8 3 0 4 2.50 1.00 0.00 3 8 4
70281.3.1.1.4 LAS Installer FTS Review 4 4 1 0 3 3.32 1.00 0.00 1 4
3
70281.3.1.1.5 LAS Installer FTS Re-work 1 3 3 3 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 3
3 0
70281.3.1.1.6 LAS Installer Re-Work 2 9 9 9 0 0 1.00 1.00 1.00 9 9
0
70281.3.1.1.7 LAS Installer Draft Complete 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 1.00
0 1 1

Simon EV calcs in Project are confusing because the tool uses the
Current date/Status date to determine planned and earned value ( not
what you want). You basically need to calculate your own figures.

A simple and effective work around is to use custom fields (Tools,
Customise, Fields), select a Cost field, eg Cost1 and rename it "Calc
EV". Under formula enter the formula = [Baseline Cost]*[% Complete]
the define "Rollup" method to summaries to be "sum". It should work
1st time every time and give you no more grief.