home / skills / a5c-ai / babysitter / evm-calculator

This skill automatically computes earned value metrics, forecasts, and trend insights for project performance using PMI/ANSI standards.

npx playbooks add skill a5c-ai/babysitter --skill evm-calculator

Review the files below or copy the command above to add this skill to your agents.

Files (1)
SKILL.md
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---
name: evm-calculator
description: Automated calculation of all earned value metrics and forecasts
allowed-tools:
  - Read
  - Write
  - Glob
  - Grep
  - Bash
metadata:
  specialization: project-management
  domain: business
  category: Earned Value Management
  id: SK-004
---

# EVM Calculator

## Overview

The EVM Calculator skill provides comprehensive automated calculation of all Earned Value Management metrics, indices, and forecasts. It supports PMI PMBOK and ANSI/EIA-748 compliant calculations for project cost and schedule performance measurement and forecasting.

## Capabilities

### Core EVM Metrics
- Calculate Planned Value (PV/BCWS)
- Calculate Earned Value (EV/BCWP)
- Calculate Actual Cost (AC/ACWP)
- Calculate Schedule Variance (SV) and Cost Variance (CV)
- Calculate SV% and CV% for normalized comparison

### Performance Indices
- Calculate Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
- Calculate Cost Performance Index (CPI)
- Calculate Critical Ratio (CR = SPI x CPI)
- Calculate TCPI (To-Complete Performance Index)
- Support both BAC-based and EAC-based TCPI

### Forecasting
- Calculate EAC using multiple methods:
  - EAC = BAC / CPI (typical performance)
  - EAC = AC + (BAC - EV) (atypical performance)
  - EAC = AC + [(BAC - EV) / (SPI x CPI)] (combined)
  - EAC = Bottom-up re-estimate
- Calculate ETC (Estimate to Complete)
- Calculate VAC (Variance at Completion)

### Visualization and Trending
- Generate S-curve visualizations
- Perform trend analysis on indices
- Create performance dashboards
- Generate variance analysis reports
- Produce management reserve tracking

## Usage

### Input Requirements
- Budget baseline (time-phased BAC)
- Progress data (percent complete or physical measurement)
- Actual cost data by period
- Work Breakdown Structure alignment
- Optional: Management reserve allocation

### Output Deliverables
- Complete EVM metrics table
- Performance indices with trends
- Forecasts (EAC, ETC, VAC)
- S-curve visualization
- Variance analysis narrative

### Example Use Cases
1. **Monthly Reporting**: Calculate all EVM metrics for status reports
2. **Forecasting**: Generate EAC using appropriate method
3. **Trend Analysis**: Track SPI/CPI trends over time
4. **Corrective Action**: Identify and analyze variances

## Process Integration

This skill integrates with the following processes:
- earned-value-management.js
- budget-development.js
- portfolio-prioritization.js
- Status Reporting and Communication Management

## Dependencies

- Financial calculation libraries
- Time series analysis utilities
- Visualization libraries
- Data aggregation algorithms

## Related Skills

- SK-001: Gantt Chart Generator
- SK-009: NPV/IRR Calculator
- SK-011: Benefits Tracking Dashboard

Overview

This skill automates calculation of the full Earned Value Management (EVM) suite so project teams can measure cost and schedule performance and produce reliable forecasts. It supports PMI PMBOK and ANSI/EIA-748 compliant formulas and outputs tables, S-curves, trends, and variance narratives for reporting. The focus is deterministic, auditable EVM metrics and multiple methods for EAC forecasting.

How this skill works

The skill ingests a time-phased budget baseline (BAC), percent-complete or physical progress, and actual costs by period, then computes PV, EV, AC, SV, CV, SPI, CPI, CR, TCPI and normalized percentages. It supports several EAC formulas (CPI-based, simple, combined, and bottom-up) and derives ETC and VAC. Outputs include EVM metric tables, trend series for indices, S-curve visualizations, and a concise variance analysis narrative.

When to use it

  • Monthly or period-end status reporting to stakeholders
  • Prior to or during forecasting sessions to evaluate EAC options
  • When tracking trending of SPI/CPI to detect schedule or cost drift
  • During corrective-action planning to quantify impact and recovery needs
  • For audit-ready EVM deliverables that must follow PMI/ANSI guidance

Best practices

  • Provide a time-phased BAC aligned to the WBS for accurate PV calculations
  • Use consistent progress measurement (percent complete or physical) across reporting periods
  • Validate actual cost data and period boundaries before running forecasts
  • Choose the EAC method that matches project conditions and document the rationale
  • Include management reserve separately to avoid skewing earned value metrics
  • Review index trends (SPI/CPI) before selecting corrective actions

Example use cases

  • Prepare monthly executive status packs with full EVM metrics and S-curve visuals
  • Run alternative EAC scenarios to support contingency and funding decisions
  • Analyze SPI/CPI trends to trigger schedule recovery or resource changes
  • Generate variance analysis narratives for change control boards or audits
  • Calculate TCPI to set performance targets for remaining work

FAQ

Which EAC method should I choose?

Select the method that matches observed performance and management judgement: use BAC/CPI for typical ongoing performance, AC+(BAC−EV) for atypical events, combined formulas when both cost and schedule affect outcomes, or bottom-up for re-plans.

What inputs are critical for accurate results?

A time-phased BAC aligned to your WBS, reliable percent-complete or physical progress, and accurate period-level actual cost data are essential; inconsistent inputs produce misleading metrics.