Maintaining a Credible Estimate at Completion (EAC)

by Humphreys & Associates on March 7, 2023

Issues with a contractor’s estimate at completion (EAC) process is a common Earned Value Management System (EVMS) surveillance finding H&A earned value consultants are frequently asked to help resolve. The EAC process can become a major issue when the government customer lacks confidence in the contractor’s EAC data.

Why does a credible EAC matter? 

EACs are important because they provide a projection of the cost at contract or project completion, which is also an estimate of total funds required by the customer. It matters because EACs represent real money. When the most likely EAC exceeds the negotiated contract cost, the contractor’s profit margins may be at risk. It also creates a problem for the customer when the most likely EAC exceeds the funding limits. The customer may either need to secure additional funding or modify the work scope. No one likes cost growth surprises.

Figure 1 illustrates comparing the funding limits with the range of contractor’s EACs to verify they are within the bounds of the funding available to complete the scope of work.

Graph Showing Contractor’s Management EACs with Funding Profile
Figure 1: Contractor’s Management EACs with Funding Profile

What determines whether an EAC is credible? 

A credible EAC reflects the cumulative to date actual costs of work performed (ACWP) (costs the contractor has already incurred) plus the current estimate to complete (ETC). The ETC must provide a realistic estimate of what is required to complete the remaining authorized work and represents the time phased estimate of future funds required.

EACs should be based on performance to date, actual costs to date, projections of future performance, risks and opportunities, economic escalation, expected direct and indirect rates, and material commitments. As illustrated in Figure 1, a project manager should routinely evaluate their project’s ACWP, ETC, and EAC along with the funding profile to verify amounts expended and committed are within the parameters of available contract funds. 

What project control practices help to ensure EACs are realistic?

Three recommended best practices H&A earned value consultants either help implement or have observed that ensure the EAC data are credible include:

  1. Actively maintain the bottom up ETC data every reporting cycle. This starts with updating the current schedule resource loaded activities based on performance to date and the latest planning (timing and resource requirements) for work in progress as well as upcoming work effort. This becomes the basis for updating the time phased cost estimate for work in progress that is added to the cumulative to date actual costs or the cost estimate for future work/planning packages. The current schedule and time phased cost estimate should be in alignment. When data is routinely maintained, it minimizes the time required to update it and capture useful information. The control account managers (CAMs) have the basis to substantiate their estimates as well as relevant data they can use to analyze and take action to address a significant variance at completion (VAC).
  2. Actively monitor project EACs from the top down. Project managers that actively maintain a range of data driven EACs (best case, most likely, and worst case) are better prepared to verify the bottom up EACs are realistic, handle realized risks, and prepare for emerging risks. They routinely incorporate metrics such as comparing the Cost Performance Index (CPI) to the To Complete Performance Index (TCPI) to test the realism of the EAC. They can demonstrate their EACs are credible with backup data, rationale, and narratives they provide to management as well as the customer. 
  3. Maintain open communications at all levels of management, subcontractors, and the customer. As a result, project personnel can quickly handle issues or project changes. The project manager is often the main conduit to handle impacts to their project’s EAC such as when corporate management changes direct or indirect rates, changes in resource availability, a spike in commodity prices, or the customer modifies the scope of work or funding.

What are some things to avoid?

H&A earned value consultants often observe practices that negate the purpose and value of maintaining the ETC and EAC data. Issues with the EAC process are often captured in the government customer’s EVMS corrective action requests (CARs). The CARs frequently point out ad-hoc processes or corporate culture issues. Examples:

  1. Management provides a target EAC number the CAMs must match. This approach increases the likelihood the ETC data are unrealistic. There may be a valid reason for this directive as a management what-if exercise. When done as a routine management strategy, it diminishes the value of the ETC data to manage the project’s remaining work and prevent financial surprises. The CAMs should be in a position where they can substantiate their schedule timeline, resource requirements, and cost estimate to complete the remaining work. The project manager should be in a position where they can verify the bottom up ETC/EAC data to establish a level of confidence in their project level EACs they provide to management as well as the customer.
  2. Project personnel take the path of least resistance. This is often a result of a lack of direction or an established process. They either do not create the ETC data or maintain it on a routine basis. A typical approach is to set a cost management tool option where the EAC is static; the CAM may manually update the EAC number once a quarter. The ETC data has limited to no value. This usually surfaces as a major issue when the contractor must provide an Integrated Program Management Report (IPMR)  Format 7 (time phased history and forecast data), or the Integrated Program Management Data and Analysis Report (IPMDAR) Contract Performance Dataset (CPD) to the customer. The customer quickly discovers the ETC data is lacking for their own analysis.
  3. Schedule and cost are created/maintained separately. This often occurs when the schedule and cost tools are not integrated for the duration of the project. A good deal of effort may go into ensuring the schedule and cost data are in alignment to establish the performance measurement baseline (PMB). The integrated master schedule (IMS) resource loaded activities may be used as the basis for the time phased budget baseline in the cost tool. However, the ETC data in the current schedule may not exist or actively maintained. Project personnel only maintain the ETC data in the cost tool and fail to verify it aligns with the current schedule activities (timing) and resource requirements. Once again, personnel are often lacking an established best practice EAC process.

Pay Attention to Your EAC Process

The ETC and EAC data are just as important as the PMB budget plan because it represents real money. As discussed in the blog How Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) Contribute to Project Success, the goal of the IBR is to verify an executable PMB has been established for the entire contractual scope of work. Similarly, the goal of maintaining a credible ETC and EAC is to verify an executable plan is being regularly updated to accomplish the remaining scope of work within the contract’s schedule, cost, and funding targets. The customer must have confidence in the contractor’s ability to deliver and meet the remaining contract objectives.

The best way to avoid an EAC process CAR is to ensure you have an established process personnel follow, and they know how to use the schedule and cost tools to consistently maintain quality ETC and EAC data. H&A earned value consultants have worked with numerous clients to design or enhance their EAC process. H&A also offers EVMS training workshops that include content on how to develop a realistic EAC. Regular EVMS training always helps to reinforce best practices. Call us today at (714) 685-1730 to get started.

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Charts and EVMS Health

by Humphreys & Associates on February 1, 2023 last modified March 7, 2023

Project management is a complex and multi-faceted field that requires a great deal of attention to detail. One of the most important aspects of project management is being able to accurately assess the status and health of a project at any given time. This is where visual representations come in.

Visual Aids

One of the most effective ways to evaluate the status of a project is through the use of charts and graphs. These visual aids allow top management to quickly and easily assess whether a project is getting better or worse, and whether the estimated completion costs (EACs) are achievable.

Raising Questions

In the case of the chart shown in the video, the cost line is trending downwards, which is a cause for concern. This raises the question of whether this negative trend can be reversed to meet even the most pessimistic EAC set by the customer’s program manager.

Management and Customers

While the chart shown in the video is from a program that was ultimately canceled, it serves as an important reminder of the crucial role that visual representations play in project management. These types of charts and graphs are commonly used in briefs presented to top management and customers, as they provide a clear and concise snapshot of the project’s status.

More EVMS Training

Take your EVMS training to the next level with our online course that is based on Humphreys & Associates’ highly regarded three-day EVMS workshop. We also offer a version of this same EVM training course customized for Department Of Defense (DOD) specific EVM requirements, as well as one designed specifically toward NASA’s EVM requirements!

— Purchase the DOD Course —
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— Purchase the NASA Version of this Course —
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EVMS Document Matrix

EVMS Document Matrix

Not sure what the different requirements are between the DOE and NASA? Can’t remember if Cost and Software Data Reporting (CSDR) is required for an NSA contract? Check out our easy to read Earned Value Management Systems Document Matrix


All Online Courses

EVM (Earned Value Management) is a comprehensive approach to project management that covers all aspects of a project, from start to finish. Humphreys and Associates offers EVM courses that will provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage EVM projects of all sizes effectively.

Our EVM courses are suitable for both beginners and professionals who want to improve their skills. We offer a range of course options, including online self-paced and live virtual instructor-led courses, to accommodate different schedules and learning styles. Our instructors are seasoned EVM professionals who will guide you through the process, from setting up your EVM system to closing out your project.

At Humphreys and Associates, you can trust in the quality of our EVM training. Our online EVM courses are budget-friendly and flexible, allowing you to obtain the education you need without any stress. Plus, our courses are designed to be completed in a short time, so you can quickly gain the knowledge you need.

Enroll in our EVM courses today and start enhancing your project management skills.

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Upcoming Public EVMS Workshops

EVM training sessions are offered throughout the year by H&A. EVMS, advanced Earned Value Management techniques, and project scheduling are all covered during these frequent public EVM workshops. These earned value education courses are ideal for anybody wanting to increase their understanding of or application of EVMS or scheduling. Our training programs are suited for individuals with various degrees.

Public EVMS Workshops are offered either in person or online. View our Upcoming EVM Workshop Schedule to find one that best suits your schedule and location.

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