1. What is Schedule Variance?

Schedule Variance (SV) is a project management metric that measures the difference between earned value and planned value, expressed as a percentage. It indicates whether a project is ahead of or behind schedule.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Schedule Variance formula:

Where:

• \( Earned\ Value \) — The value of work actually completed (units)
• \( Planned\ Value \) — The value of work planned to be completed (units)

Interpretation: Positive SV indicates ahead of schedule, negative SV indicates behind schedule, and zero SV indicates on schedule.

3. Importance of Schedule Variance Calculation

Details: Schedule Variance helps project managers track project performance, identify schedule deviations early, and make informed decisions to keep projects on track.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter earned value and planned value in the same units. Both values must be positive numbers, and planned value must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a positive SV indicate?
A: A positive SV indicates that the project is ahead of schedule - more work has been completed than planned.

Q2: What does a negative SV indicate?
A: A negative SV indicates that the project is behind schedule - less work has been completed than planned.

Q3: What units should I use for earned and planned value?
A: Use consistent units such as hours, days, story points, or any other measurable unit that represents work completed.

Q4: How often should SV be calculated?
A: SV should be calculated regularly throughout the project lifecycle, typically during weekly or bi-weekly status meetings.

Q5: Can SV be used for individual employee performance tracking?
A: Yes, SV can help track individual employee performance against planned schedules, but should be used in conjunction with other metrics for comprehensive evaluation.