ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) ExamDomain 3: Information Systems Acquisition, Development and ImplementationMedium

An IS auditor is evaluating the project management practices for a new data analytics platform. The project is 50% complete according to the work breakdown structure (WBS), has spent $150,000, and was budgeted for $200,000 at this stage. The total project budget is $400,000. What is the Schedule Performance Index (SPI) for this project?

  1. A0.75
  2. B1.00
  3. C1.33
  4. D0.80
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. 1.00

The Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is calculated as Earned Value (EV) divided by Planned Value (PV). The project is 50% complete, meaning EV is 50% of the total budget ($400,000 * 0.50 = $200,000). The Planned Value at this stage was also $200,000. Therefore, SPI = $200,000 / $200,000 = 1.00.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. This would be the Cost Performance Index (CPI) if EV was $150,000 and AC was $200,000, but the question asks for SPI.
  • C. This calculation is incorrect and implies the project is ahead of schedule when it is exactly on schedule.
  • D. This calculation is incorrect for SPI.

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

A measure of project schedule efficiency, calculated as the ratio of Earned Value (EV) to Planned Value (PV).

  • SPI > 1 indicates ahead of schedule.
  • SPI < 1 indicates behind schedule.
  • SPI = 1 indicates on schedule.

Memory trick: SPI: See Progress, Is it on time?

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