Schedule Performance Index Formula:
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The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is a project management metric that measures schedule efficiency. It compares the earned value (EV) of work performed to the planned value (PV) of work scheduled, providing insight into whether a project is ahead of or behind schedule.
The calculator uses the SPI formula:
Where:
Interpretation:
Details: SPI is a critical earned value management metric that helps project managers track schedule performance, identify potential delays early, and make informed decisions about resource allocation and schedule adjustments.
Tips: Enter earned value and planned value in dollars. Both values must be positive numbers, and planned value must be greater than zero for the calculation to be valid.
Q1: What's the difference between SPI and CPI?
A: SPI measures schedule efficiency (EV/PV), while CPI (Cost Performance Index) measures cost efficiency (EV/AC). SPI focuses on time, CPI focuses on budget.
Q2: Can SPI be greater than 2.0?
A: Yes, though uncommon. SPI > 2.0 indicates the project is significantly ahead of schedule, which might suggest overly conservative initial planning.
Q3: How often should SPI be calculated?
A: Typically calculated at regular reporting intervals (weekly, monthly) throughout the project lifecycle to monitor schedule performance.
Q4: What are the limitations of SPI?
A: SPI doesn't consider critical path activities, doesn't predict final completion date, and can be misleading if the project baseline is poorly defined.
Q5: How is SPI used with other EVM metrics?
A: SPI is often analyzed alongside CPI to get a comprehensive view of both schedule and cost performance, helping identify trends and forecast project outcomes.