BCWP is always zero

[New PM]

I created my project, assigned resources to tasks, set the resource rate to
$1. I then created a baseline. I verified that I have values in the
Baseline Cost field. However, when I enter in actuals, my BCWP does not get
calculated. What am I doing wrong?

 

[JulieS]

Hi New PM,

Check your status date (Project > Project Information). The BCWP is
calculated based upon either the status date or the current date. If
you hover your mouse over the BCWP column heading and click on the
hyperlink "Help on BCWP", there are additional details that you may find
useful.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

 

[New PM]

Hello,

I have exhausted the Help files within MS-Project. I noticed that when I
changed the Task Information -> Earned Value Method to % Complete, as opposed
to Physical % Complete, my BCWP now calculates.

I guess I am now confused on the difference between those two.

 

[JulieS]

Hi New PM,

From Help on Physical % Complete:
====================================
Description: The Physical % Complete field shows an entered percent
complete value that can be used as an alternative for calculating
budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP). This field is also known as
Earned Value % Complete.

Best Uses: Add the Physical % Complete field to a task view and enter
values when the calculated percent complete would not be an accurate
measure of real work performed or measured. Unlike the % Complete field,
the Physical % Complete field is independent of the total duration or
actual duration values used by the % Complete field to calculate BCWP.

Example: A project of building a stone wall consists of 100 stones
stacked five high. The first row of 20 stones can be laid in 20 minutes,
but the second row takes 25 minutes because now you have to lift the
stones up one row higher, so it takes a little longer. The third row
would take 30 minutes, the fourth 35 minutes, and the last row takes 40
minutes to lay- 150 minutes total. After laying the first three rows,
the project could be said to be 60 percent physically complete (you laid
60 of 100 stones). However, you only spent 75 of 150 minutes, so in
terms of duration, the job is only 50 percent complete. You add the
Physical % Complete field to the Gantt Chart view to enter and track
progress for this task.

Depending on how you get paid for the work or how the value is earned
(by the stone, or by the hour), you can choose the percent complete
value or the physical percent complete value to properly reflect this in
the earned value analysis.

Remarks: While the default earned value method field is % Complete,
you can change it to Physical % Complete for any tasks that apply.

You can also set the earned value method for a task on the Advanced tab
in the Task Information dialog box.

To set the default earned value method for all new tasks, click Options
on the Tools menu. Click the Calculation tab, and then click Earned
Value. You can also use this dialog box to choose which of the 11
available baselines should be used for earned value calculations.

The Physical % Complete field is available by default on the Tracking
table.

==================================================

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

 

[Mike F]

JulieS: I have the same problem, I also took the same steps where I set
resource value to $1, reset the calculation to use Physical % Complete, made
sure the status date was valid, baselined the plan and made sure the
calculation was using Baseline and still neither BCWS or BCWP calculate.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Mike F,

A couple of questions:
What version of Project, including Service Pack, are you using?
Is your calculation (Tools > Options, calculation tab) set to automatic?
For BCWP have you entered actual (tracking) data?

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Mike F]

Hi JulieS,
First thanks for getting back to me. I am using MS Project 2003 with SP2.
I have entered actual work and project automatically recalculates duration
and remaining duration accurately. The Project Status Date is 9/11 (today)
with task start date of 9/9 and task finish date pf 9/14. Both BCWS or BCWP
are carrying zero values.
Mike F.

 

[JulieS]

Mike,

You're welcome for what assistance I have provided thus far. Instead of
trying to guess what is going on without seeing the file, if you can (ie
not State secrets) zip the file and email to me. My email address is:

passport 6847 at maine dot r r dot com

remove the spaces, replace the at with @ and the dot with .

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Mike F]

JulieS,
I finally got things running as expected. My primary problem was the
sequence that I did things. Once I went back to the beginning, assigned my
resources, baselined my project, assigned actuals, etc. things finally worked
out. Thanks again, Mike F.

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome Mike and thanks for the feedback. Glad you were able to
work it out.

Julie

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[FKhan]

Hi Mike,

I am having the same issues - the BCWP does not calculate for many
activities that have actuals entered. It does calculate on one activity that
is complete, however when I set another activity to being complete, nothing
happened. Please please help!!

 

[JulieS]

Hi FKhan,

A couple of things to check:

In order for earned value data to calculate the following must be true:
Tasks must have resources assigned.
Resource must have standard rates other than $0
The tasks must be baselined
Your status date (Project > Project Information) must be accurate.
You must have recorded actual progress on the task.

Are all of the above true in your project file?

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[sbutler]

Try re-saving the baseline (Tools, Tracking, Save Baseline)

 

[FKhan]

Hi Julie,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I appreciate
your help.

I had the below items already completed before I baselined and entered in
actuals. The only thing that made a difference was changing how EV data was
calculated - from physical % complete to % complete. Very strange and
frustrating, as we're billing T&M

 

[JulieS]

Hi FKhan,

I'm glad you were able to sort it out and thanks for the feedback.

Sorry, I should have mentioned to check the option which controls how
Earned Value is calculate. I so rarely use Physical % Complete that I
forgot that would also need to be checked.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Roberto]

Dears,

I have the same problem and the same version (2003-Sp2). I did everything
you sad and it does not work! ( ACWP works properly, but BCWP does not!
What ever should I do?!?!

Roberto

 

[Steve House]

Did you remember to set the status date in the Project, Project Information
dialog?