What indicator tells you the amount each remaining dollar must earn to keep the project within budget?

The To Complete Performance Index (TCPI) is a crucial performance indicator in project management. It measures the efficiency needed for the remaining work in order to stay within the project budget. Specifically, TCPI indicates how much each remaining dollar must earn to ensure that the project can be completed within its original budget constraints.

TCPI is calculated by taking the remaining budget (the difference between the total budget and the earned value) and dividing it by the remaining work (the total remaining planned work). This ratio signifies the performance required for the remaining work in order to achieve the project's budgetary goals, making it an essential tool for project managers who need to align ongoing costs with the overall budget framework.

In contrast, the other indicators focus on different aspects of project performance. The Earned Value Index provides insight into how much value is being earned against the planned performance, while the Cost Variance Index assesses the variance between planned and actual costs. Meanwhile, the Schedule Performance Index is aimed at understanding the efficiency of the project's schedule. Each of these measures serves a distinct purpose, but TCPI specifically addresses the funding efficiency necessary for the remaining project work to remain within budget.