What is earned value management (EVM)?

Earned value management (EVM) is a project management technique that integrates scope, time, and cost data to assess project performance. This method allows project managers to evaluate the project's progress and performance against the planned objectives by measuring three key variables: planned value (PV), earned value (EV), and actual cost (AC).

EVM provides insights into how much work has been completed in relation to what was planned, as well as how much has been spent. This helps in identifying whether a project is on track, behind, or ahead of schedule and budget. By combining these factors, EVM offers a comprehensive view of the project's health and assists in making informed decisions to steer the project successfully toward completion.

In contrast, while scheduling tasks or managing team interactions are important aspects of project management, they do not encapsulate the comprehensive approach that EVM provides in measuring and analyzing a project's overall performance through an integrated framework of scope, time, and cost. Similarly, negotiating contracts with stakeholders is a distinct activity that does not involve the systematic evaluation of project performance using the principles of EVM.