CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005)Project Life Cycle PhasesMedium

A project manager is reviewing the project's progress. The Earned Value (EV) is $80,000, the Planned Value (PV) is $75,000, and the Actual Cost (AC) is $85,000. What is the Schedule Performance Index (SPI), and what does it indicate?

  1. ASPI = 0.94, The project is over budget.
  2. BSPI = 0.94, The project is behind schedule.
  3. CSPI = 1.06, The project is ahead of schedule.
  4. DSPI = 1.06, The project is under budget.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. SPI = 1.06, The project is ahead of schedule.

The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is calculated as EV / PV. In this case, $80,000 / $75,000 = 1.066. An SPI greater than 1.0 indicates that the project is ahead of schedule.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This calculates Cost Performance Index (CPI) and misinterprets SPI.
  • B. Incorrect calculation and interpretation of SPI.
  • D. This is SPI but describes cost performance, which is CPI.

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

A measure of schedule efficiency, expressed as the ratio of earned value to planned value (EV/PV).

  • SPI > 1.0 means ahead of schedule.
  • SPI < 1.0 means behind schedule.
  • SPI = 1.0 means on schedule.

Memory trick: SPI: 'S'chedule 'P'rogress 'I'ndex is EV over PV, like 'E'arly 'V'ictory over 'P'lanned 'V'isits.

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