During project evaluation, what does a positive schedule variance indicate?

A positive schedule variance indicates that the value of work actually performed is greater than the value of work planned to be completed by a certain point in time. This means that the project is ahead of schedule since the project team has completed more work than was expected at that stage.

In project management, schedule variance is calculated by subtracting the planned value from the earned value. When this result is positive, it reflects effective work progress, potentially allowing for better resource allocation and management. Teams can capitalize on this momentum to maintain or even increase the pace of work, ensuring that project milestones are met efficiently and within the desired timeline.

Clarity on why other options may not align with the correct interpretation adds depth: if the project were behind schedule, the schedule variance would be negative, and if it was exactly on schedule, the variance would be zero. While budget considerations are important, a positive schedule variance specifically relates to timeliness, not budget adherence.