EVM EVM Earned Value Techniques and Methods 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Discrete effort in EVM refers to:
- Tasks with a definable start and end point and measurable output (Correct answer)
- Support activities that cannot be directly linked to a deliverable
- Work proportionally tied to another discrete task
- Tasks measured solely by time elapsed
Correct answer: Tasks with a definable start and end point and measurable output
Discrete effort represents direct work that produces a specific deliverable and can be objectively measured for progress.
Question 2: Level of Effort (LOE) in EVM is characterized by:
- Work that cannot be measured by discrete output and earns value based on time passage (Correct answer)
- Work that produces a specific deliverable at a fixed point in time
- Work that is allocated proportionally to another task
- Work measured by the count of physical units completed
Correct answer: Work that cannot be measured by discrete output and earns value based on time passage
LOE work (e.g., project management support, contract management) earns value simply by the passage of time on the schedule, never creating a cost or schedule variance.
Question 3: Apportioned effort in EVM is:
- Work whose budget and schedule are directly tied as a percentage of a related discrete task (Correct answer)
- Work that is split equally among all Control Accounts
- An independent task that earns value at project milestones
- Work performed by subcontractors only
Correct answer: Work whose budget and schedule are directly tied as a percentage of a related discrete task
Apportioned effort is used when work (e.g., quality inspection) has no independent measurable output but is directly proportional to a related discrete work package.
Question 4: The 0/100 earned value technique assigns earned value as follows:
- 0% credit when the task starts and 100% credit only when the task is fully complete (Correct answer)
- 50% credit at start and 50% at completion
- Credit proportional to the percentage of work physically complete
- Credit equal to the amount of budget spent
Correct answer: 0% credit when the task starts and 100% credit only when the task is fully complete
The 0/100 rule earns no budget until the task is 100% complete, making it very conservative and best suited for short-duration tasks.
Question 5: The 50/50 earned value technique is most appropriate for:
- Tasks with duration spanning two reporting periods (Correct answer)
- Long-duration tasks exceeding six months
- LOE activities
- Material procurement tasks
Correct answer: Tasks with duration spanning two reporting periods
The 50/50 rule grants 50% credit at task start and 50% at completion, making it suitable for tasks that span two measurement periods.
Question 6: Which earned value technique is most appropriate for Level of Effort work packages?
- Time-phased budget (earning value based on the passage of schedule time) (Correct answer)
- 0/100 technique
- Milestone weighted technique
- Percent complete technique
Correct answer: Time-phased budget (earning value based on the passage of schedule time)
LOE work earns value based on time passage against its time-phased budget, with earned value always equaling planned value within each period.
EVM EVM Earned Value Techniques and Methods 1
Discrete effort in EVM refers to: