How is scheduled variance calculated using the earned value technique?

Question

Options

• AEV less AC
• BAC less PV
• CEV less PV
• DAC less EV

• A
  19% (3)
• B
  6% (1)
• C
  69% (11)
• D
  6% (1)

Explanation

Scheduled Variance (SV) = Earned Value (EV) minus Planned Value (PV), which is option C. SV measures whether you're ahead or behind schedule in cost terms: a positive result means you've accomplished more work than planned, while a negative result means you're behind.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (EV − AC) is the formula for Cost Variance (CV) - it measures budget efficiency, not schedule performance.
• B (AC − PV) has no standard EVM meaning and mixes actual spending with planned spending without reference to what was actually accomplished.
• D (AC − EV) is simply the inverse of Cost Variance - also not a recognized EVM metric.

Memory tip: Think of "SV" as comparing two Values - EV vs PV - both sharing the word "value." Cost Variance is the odd one out that introduces Actual Cost (AC) into the mix. If you can remember "Schedule Variance = two Vs," you'll never confuse it with CV again.

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