Scheduled Performance Ratio ("SPR")

Test Your Knowledge

SPR Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does SPR stand for? a) Scheduled Performance Ratio b) Schedule Progress Report c) Standard Project Review d) System Performance Rate

2. How is SPR calculated? a) AWP / EV b) EV / PV c) AWP / PV d) PV / AWP

3. What does an SPR of 0.8 indicate? a) The project is ahead of schedule. b) The project is on schedule. c) The project is behind schedule. d) The project has been cancelled.

4. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using SPR? a) Early warning system for schedule deviations. b) Performance tracking against the schedule. c) Identifying potential cost overruns. d) Communication tool for stakeholders.

5. What is a limitation of using SPR? a) It doesn't account for changes in project scope. b) It provides a comprehensive overview of project performance. c) It can be easily manipulated to show positive results. d) It is not used in any major project management methodologies.

SPR Exercise

Scenario:

A project is scheduled to have $20,000 worth of work completed by the end of Week 3. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, only $15,000 worth of work is actually completed by the end of Week 3.

Task:

Calculate the SPR for this project at the end of Week 3. Interpret the results and explain what it means for the project's schedule.

Techniques

Chapter 1: Techniques for Calculating Scheduled Performance Ratio (SPR)

This chapter delves into the practical aspects of calculating the SPR and explores the different techniques and approaches used to derive this crucial metric.

1.1. Basic SPR Calculation

The fundamental formula for calculating SPR is:

SPR = Actual Work Performed (AWP) / Planned Value (PV)

• Actual Work Performed (AWP): This represents the actual amount of work completed on the project, measured in terms of the project's budget or resources. It can be calculated using various methods, such as:
  • Effort-based: Tracking the actual hours spent on tasks.
  • Deliverable-based: Measuring the completion of specific deliverables or milestones.
  • Value-based: Assessing the value of completed work against the overall project budget.
• Planned Value (PV): This represents the planned or budgeted value of the work that should have been completed by a specific point in time. It is typically derived from the project schedule and budget.

1.2. Example of SPR Calculation

Consider a project with a planned value of $10,000 for the first two weeks. If $8,000 worth of work is actually completed by the end of week two, the SPR would be:

SPR = $8,000 / $10,000 = 0.8

This indicates that 80% of the planned work was completed by the end of week two.

1.3. Variations and Refinements

While the basic formula is straightforward, there are variations and refinements that can be implemented depending on the project's specific needs.

• Cumulative SPR: This approach calculates SPR for the entire project duration, taking into account the cumulative AWP and PV values.
• Incremental SPR: SPR can be calculated for individual time periods (e.g., weekly, monthly) to track progress over time.
• Rolling Wave SPR: For projects with uncertain future activities, a rolling wave approach can be adopted, where SPR is calculated for a defined planning horizon.

1.4. Importance of Accurate Data

The accuracy of SPR relies heavily on the quality of the data used in the calculation. It is crucial to ensure that the AWP and PV are measured consistently and accurately to obtain a meaningful and reliable SPR value.

1.5. Conclusion

Understanding the different techniques for calculating SPR is essential for project managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of schedule performance. The choice of approach depends on the specific project context and the desired level of detail.