Estimate At Completion is the revised estimate of the total funds required to complete total work of a project. It is the sum of the Actual Cost (expenditure already incurred or the money already spent) till the control date and Estimate to Complete (expected cost of remaining work).
EAC formula can be expressed by using following generic equation
EAC = (Actual Expenditure Till Date) + (Estimated Future Expenditure)
Or
EAC = AC + ETC
You can derive 8 different formulas by decomposing this generic expression.
Let us discuss why there are so many Estimate At Completion (EAC) formulas in project management and how they are used in Earned Value Management (EVM) calculations and forecasting.
I have written this post to discuss EAC in detail. You will find a complete explanation of EAC including its definition, examples, and formulas in this post. It will help you to solve and compute PMP exam’s mathematical questions.
You will also find differences between the following terms in this post:
- Estimate At Completion and Budget At Completion (BAC)
- Estimate At Completion and Estimate To Complete (ETC)
You can also look at the following video to understand EAC.
Note: EVM helps in measuring current performance and forecast future performance of a project. EAC is a combination of performance till date and a forecast of future performance. In addition to EAC, Estimate To Complete, and To Complete Performance Index are also used for project forecasting.
Estimate At Completion (EAC) vs Budget At Completion (BAC)
In EVM, original project budget is expressed as BAC whereas budget forecast is expressed as EAC. BAC is approved budget at the start of a project and remains fixed. On the other hand, EAC can be estimated on each control date and changes as the project progresses.
The funds requirement of a project may change after the project starts. The original budget may no longer be valid. The project team may need more or less funds to complete the project. This can happen due to various reasons like cost variances, risks, incorrect assumptions etc. The team can analyze the reasons for the change and estimate or forecast a new budget. The new budgetary forecast is called EAC. It becomes the revised project budget after the Sponsor’s approval.
BAC can be defined the total authorized budget for a project.
You can look at Max Wideman Glossary for more definitions.
EAC can be defined as the expected total cost of completing all project work that can be expressed as the sum of the actual cost to date and the estimate to complete.
You can also refer to Max Wideman Glossary to read some other standard definitions.
Estimate At Completion (EAC) vs Estimate To Complete (ETC)
ETC is the expected cost of completing the remaining project work whereas EAC is the estimated budget to complete all the project work.
Many professionals are confused about the difference between EAC and ETC. The reason for this confusion is that most project management books have treated this topic superficially. They only talk about various formulas without describing the underlying theory.
In my opinion, you should look at EAC only after understanding ETC.
Let’s look at the EAC definition again. It essentially says that EAC is the sum of the actual cost to date and the estimate to complete. So, EAC should be understood only after computing ETC.
You should read my other article on Estimate To Complete before reading this article. I have taken many references from that article to explain the EAC formulas.
You can also look at the following video to understand ETC.
Estimate At Completion Formulas and Calculations
Generic ETC Equation
Let’s read the EAC definition one more time. It essentially says that EAC is the sum of the actual cost to date and the estimate to complete.
We can express the definition as the following equation:
EAC = (Actual Expenditure Till Date) + (Estimated Future Expenditure)
Let us solve this further by replacing Actual Expenditure Till Date with AC and Estimated Future Expenditure with ETC. The above expression can be re-written as
EAC = AC + ETC
This is the only equation that we need to solve the PMP exam questions. It can be used to derive all the other formulas.
We can derive following formulas by using the above equation.
- EAC = AC + ETC
- EAC = AC + (BAC – EV)/CPI
- EAC = AC + (BAC – EV)
- EAC = BAC/CPI
- EAC = AC + (BAC – EV)/CPIp
- EAC = AC + Bottom-up ETC
- EAC = AC + [(BAC – EV)/(CPI * SPI)]
- EAC = AC + [(BAC – EV)/(x*CPI + y*SPI)]
The PMBOK Guide lists only 4 formulas. Most of the PMP study guides also talk about these same formulas. But, I have provided a more rounded view.
The above formulas can be mathematically derived by suitably replacing ETC figure in our generic equation with a ETC formula from my article on Estimate To Complete.
Let us derive each one of them. You should read my article on ETC in parallel for all the scenarios and examples.
Formula I
First one is same as our Generic Equation.
EAC = AC + ETC
Formula II – Typical Performance
To derive the this, let’s replace ETC with ETC Formula I in our generic equation. Project’s past performance was typical and future work will be accomplished at the same rate. The resultant expression becomes
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / CPI
Formula III – Atypical Performance
The PMBOK Guide lists Formula III but does not talk about Formula II. I have listed both these formulas separately as the former is a special case of the latter. In fact Formula IV is also a special case of Formula III.
To derive this, let’s replace ETC with ETC Formula II in our generic equation. Project’s past performance was atypical but the future work will be accomplished at the planned rate. The resultant expression becomes
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV)
Formula IV
Let us mathematically solve Formula III above.
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / CPI
EAC = AC + (BAC / CPI) – (EV / CPI)
Refer to Basics of Earned Value Analysis. Let us replace CPI in above expression with (EV/AC). The above expression reduces to
EAC = AC + (BAC / CPI) – EV/(EV/AC)
EAC = AC + (BAC / CPI) – AC
EAC = BAC / CPI
Formulas II and IV are also referred to as Independent Estimate at Completion (IEAC).
Formula V
To derive the this, let’s replace ETC with ETC Formula III in our generic equation. The resultant expression becomes
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / CPIp
This expression is similar to the Formula II above. However, it uses projected future CPIp instead of past CPI to calculate ETC.
Formula VI – Bottom-up ETC
Refer to Scenario V in The ETC article. To derive the this, let’s replace ETC with Bottom-up ETC in our generic equation. The resultant expression becomes
EAC = AC + Bottom-up ETC
The term “Bottom-Up” has no specific significance. It just means that a fresh ETC should be determined by using Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). It can by found by determining the cost of remaining (unfinished) work components (work packages and activities) at the bottom of WBS and then aggregating them Upwards.
Formula VII
Consider the following scenario.
The Sponsor wants to know the budgetary cost estimate for finishing the project work within the original schedule at current CPI.
None of the above expressions will work in this case. We need to factor in schedule performance as well.
We already know that project’s current efficiency is measured by two indices – Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI).
A SPI of ‘S’ means that ‘S’ units of work was done in each duration unit (e.g. a day).
A CPI of ‘C’ means that $C worth of work was done for each dollar spent.
We have to consider both CPI and SPI to determine the budgetary cost to complete the project work within original schedule at current CPI.
Refer to Formula III – it uses only CPI. If we modify it to include SPI also, then it becomes
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / (CPI * SPI)
Formula VIII
There is another variant of the above expression, which can also be used for calculations. In the following formula x & y are weights given to CPI & SPI respectively. These weights signify how much importance the project team is willing to give to each performance factor. The sum of x & y should be 1, e.g. 0.2 & 0.8 or 0.5 & 0.5.
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / (x*CPI + y*SPI)
How To Use EAC Formulas In The PMP Exam?
The PMBOK Guide describes only 4 formulas. In this post, I have extended the concept further to describe a generic equation and 8 different formulas.
If you are preparing for the PMP exam, only PMBOK Guide’s formulas should be sufficient. Here is my brief take on how you should solve the PMP questions.
You can use one of the following formulas depending the situation described in the exam question
When future work will be completed at the budgeted rate (at planned efficiency – atypical)
EAC = AC + BAC – EV
When future work will be completed at the current rate (at current CPI – typical)
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / CPI
Or
EAC = BAC / CPI
When future work will be completed at current rate within the original Schedule (considering both present CPI & SPI)
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / (CPI * SPI)
Final Thoughts
EAC provides an revised estimate to complete the project work. It is a derived from ETC. EAC and ETC are important metrics to gauge the health of a project. They should be revised periodically as project progresses and moves towards the completion.
There are number of other formulas in EVM. You can read Earned Value Management Formulas for a quick snapshot of all of them. You need to understand the these to answer the PMP questions correctly. A mere memorization of the formulas is not useful. You may not be able to apply the correct formula in the exam question. It is better understand the concept and then apply the formula(s) as required.
Over To You
EVM is difficult topic. Do you still have any confusion about Estimate At Completion? You can write your question in the comments section below and I will respond to it.
PMP Exam Formulas
I have also compiled a PMP Formulas Cheat Sheet. It contains 45 formulas and 57 abbrviations. It will help you in your exam prep. It is the best and most comprehensive cheat sheet based on the PMBOK Guide 6th edition. You can download it free of cost for your studies.
If you are looking beyond a cheat sheet, then I would suggest you to buy detailed PMP Exam Formula Study Guide by Cornelius Fichtner. It contains detailed explanations of all the formulas along with examples and 105 practice questions.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links - it means that, if you buy from any of these links, then I will receive a small commission that would help me in maintaining this blog for free. However, for you, there is no extra cost. I recommend only those products that I believe will definitely help the certification aspirants.
Thank You Very very Much
Thanks Ahmed
Nice blog with nice info. been using prmavera for a long time. Never realized that primavera supports all this.
Thanks.
Good read. project management cannot be done with formulas – formulas help decision making.
Thanks Marcus
This was great. Hey! Can you make a detailed guide with some examples – even at a cost.
Pmbok mentions only 4 formulas, but no explanation. This was crystal clear. Tks.
Thanks Shepard.
On page 224, the PMBOK states “If future work will be accomplished at the planned rate, use: EAC = AC + BAC – EV” which is different from the you stated for formula II “project’s past performance was atypical” the resultant expression will be EAC = AC + (BAC – EV). If “Atypical does mean that work will not continue at the same rate.”, then we shouldn’t use EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) per PMBOK?
Hi Shawn,
Thanks.
Both PMBOK Guide and my article say the same thing; language is bit different. PMBOK Guide talks about the “future” (future work will be accomplished at the planned rate) while my article talks about the “past” (project’s past performance was atypical) while explaining the formula.
After reading your comment, I think, a more appropriate statement would be “project’s past performance was atypical but the future work is forcasted to be accomplished at the planned rate”. Let me make this change.
BR
Praveen.
Hi, interesting article!
I wondered what was the best formula to calculate the costs to finish when you want the project to end as soon as possible and your activities are late at the actual date.
Moreover I have studied that there are some formulas for the calculation of completion time (Actual complation date). In particular, I know the formula
AC = T + (BAC-EV) x (BC-T) / (BAC-AC) -> original estimate approach
and
AC = BC / SI -> revise approach.
I understood that cost calculated with formula II corresponds to a completion time given by AC original and cost calculated with formula IV corresponds a time given by AC revise. Is it right?
Hi Ilenia,
To answer your Q about “costs to finish when you want the project to end as soon as possible”, you have to define what is “as soon as possible”. But if you want to finish the project within original schedule, then you can consider using Formula V. Regarding the other things that you have written, they are not part of EVM. Probably you are reading about earned schedule which is not part of PMBOK Guide.
BR
Praveen.
Dear Praveen,
Could you please provide me with a further explanation of the fifth formula? Why is the project expected to be more expensive then planned if the SPI is less then 1? Consider the following simple example:
A two month project of totally 2000h planned (1000h in each month)
After 1 month the project has achieved an EV of 500h with the exact same amount of reported hours (AC=500h)
The CPI = 1 and the SPI = 0.5
According to the formula the estimated cost at completion will be:
EAC = AC + (BAC – EV) / (CPI * SPI)
= 500 + (2000 – 500) / (1 * 0.5) = = 500 + 1500 / 0.5 = 500 + 3000 = 3500h
That is the remaining 1500h of planned work are expected to take 3000h.
If the delay in the first month was solely due to a lack of manpower, which is now available in the second month, I would expect the remaining 1500h to be completed in 1500h (since that reflects the previous cost performance).
Why is not this the case?
Thanks a lot for your help!
Hi Andreas,
Good Q. Ans to your Q is in last part of your comment – “…delay in the first month was solely due to a lack of manpower…”.
Your statement could mean 2 things:
1. Manpower was not planned initially and additional manpower was added in second month – Additional manpower will make the project more expensive.
2. Manpower was planned initially but was not available. In second month requisite manpower is available – If this is the case then you are applying the formula incorrectly. SPI will be substantially more than 0.5.
You would have noticed that Formula V is an extension of Formula III. Just read the note associated with Formula III again. For calculating EAC, you can either use current SPI or future projected SPI.
For this particular case SPI cannot be the current SPI. It will be future projected SPI.
Hope it helps.
Thanks for your clarification Praveen!
I think the problem at my workplace is that we always use the current SPI for future estimates, regardless of the specific reason for a very low SPI. I take your comment ”If this is the case then you are applying the formula incorrectly. SPI will be substantially more than 0.5.”, as that the incorrect usage you are referring to is that I use the current SPI instead of the projected future SPI, and that you mean that ”THE PROJECTED FUTURE SPI is substantially higher than 0.5″. Is this a correct interpretation?
With regards to your answer nr.1 I do understand that additional manpower MAYBE and PROBABLY causes extra costs, but I still don’t see how this is directly related to the SPI? In my example above we have planned 1000h to be performed each month, but due to non-availability only 500h were performed in month 1. This could for example be recovered by hiring extra (perhaps external) manpower to perform the ”500h lost hours of month 1″ in month 2. If these hours (for example) are charged with a 40% premium compared to the normal manpower, it will only affect the total cost at project completion with 10% (500/2000*40%). With the formula V proposed above though, the impact will be as high as 75% (3500-2000 / 2000). Also, I interpret the EAC as the expected number of hours consumed at the project completion, not the actual monetary cost of them. Can you please provide further explanation on this topic?
Hi Andreas
EVM is more than formulas. The formulas mentioned this article work in specific scenario (as described in the article). In addition, if you apply formula with incorrect values then the answer will come out to be incorrect.
Having said that, you have not given the complete problem statement in your comment above. e.g. BAC and total number of months are missing. So, at best, I can speculate to answer your Q.
I would suggest you to go back to drawing board and understand the definition of EVM terms.
1. CPI is cost efficiency (cost of work)/(funds). Current efficiency is EV/AC whereas future (projected) efficiency is (BAC-EV)/(BAC-AC). Refer to my article on TCPI https://www.pmbypm.com/to-complete-performance-index to understand more.
2. SPI is similar. It is schedule efficiency (work)/(planned work). Current efficiency is EV/PV whereas future (projected) efficiency is (BAC-EV)/(BAC-PV).
3. EAC is not hours but hard $. Although, you can represent it in terms of hours (specifically person hours) but it is factually incorrect. Read more about it in https://www.pmbypm.com/difference-project-effort-and-duration/ and https://www.pmbypm.com/earned-value-management-system-explained-easy-language/
Lastly, as I gather from your problem statement, both projected SP & CPI are different from the current efficiencies. So, in order to to apply Formula V correctly, you will have to put projected efficiencies.
Hope it helps.
BR
Praveen.
Hi Praveen!
Have you had the time to look into my second comment above?
nice content. thanks.
Thank you for giving additional source for PMP test.