CASE STUDIES
May 28, 2011

Using the Earned Value Management System to Improve Electrical Project Control

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138, Issue 3

Abstract

In many cases, disorganized cost and schedule tracking practices, as well as inaccurate data collection, cause many projects to experience distress and possible profit loss. This paper introduces an earned value management system that allows electrical contractors to monitor construction progress, perform forecasts on the project, uncover problems occurring on-site, and respond to problems in the project as early as possible. This paper also presents a case study, along with its results, to supplement the application of the earned value management system. In the case study, several progress reports for the earned value system were used, including the field personnel loading curve, Hanna’s control points, S-curves, performance factor profiles, and work-hour forecasts. Results from the analysis showed that early determination of probable project outcome is possible with reasonable forecasting accuracy. Early warning signs are discussed and explained by the author. Using an earned value management system can also help detect cost overruns and schedule slippages early in the project, which makes it possible for the project team to take corrective measures in a timely manner.

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References

Christensen, D. S., and Heise, S. (1993). “Cost performance index stability.” Natl. Contract Manage. J., 25, 7–15.
Cost/Schedule Controls Task Force. (1987). “Project control for construction.” Publication 6-5, Construction Industry Institute (CII), Austin, TX.
Flemming, Q. W., and Koppelman, J. M. (2002). “Using earned value management.” Cost Eng., 44(9), 32–36.
Hanna, A. (2004). “Earned value course notes.” Presented at The Univ. of WI-Madison.
Hanna, A. S., and Menches, Cindy L. (2004). “Manpower loading: The rate of manpower consumption.” National Electrical Contractors Association, Bethesda, MD.
Humphreys, G. C. (2002). Project Management Using Earned Value, Humphreys & Associates, Orange, CA.
Riggs, L. S. (1986). “Cost and schedule control in industrial construction.” Cost/Schedule Controls Task Force, Construction Industry Institute (CII), Austin, TX.
Sullivan, K. T. (2002). “Quantification of factors affecting labor productivity for electrical and mechanical construction.” M.S. thesis, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI.
Thomas, H. R., and Mathews, C. T. (1986). “An analysis of the methods for measuring construction productivity.” Source Document 13. Construction Industry Institute, (CII), Univ. of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.

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Published In

Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 138Issue 3March 2012
Pages: 449 - 457

History

Received: May 26, 2010
Accepted: May 26, 2011
Published online: May 28, 2011
Published in print: Mar 1, 2012

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Authors

Affiliations

Awad S. Hanna, Ph.D., F.ASCE [email protected]
P.E.
Professor and Chair, Construction Engineering and Management Program, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, 2314 Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53704. E-mail: [email protected]

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