Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Earned Value Manager

🎯 Role Definition

An Earned Value Manager is responsible for overseeing project performance measurement, integrating cost, schedule, and technical progress, and ensuring accurate reporting using earned value management (EVM) methodologies. This role supports program control, risk management, and decision-making by providing actionable insights on project performance and compliance with contractual and organizational standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Project Control Analyst
Cost Analyst or Scheduler
Program Analyst

Advancement To:

Senior Earned Value Manager
Program Control Manager or Director
Project Management Office (PMO) Director or VP of Program Management

Lateral Moves:

Risk Manager
Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and maintain the Earned Value Management System (EVMS) in alignment with organizational and contractual requirements.
Monitor project cost, schedule, and performance metrics to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with EVM guidelines.
Prepare integrated baseline reviews (IBR) and ensure project performance aligns with scope, schedule, and budget.
Conduct variance analysis to identify deviations in cost and schedule performance, and recommend corrective actions.
Generate and analyze earned value reports, including CPI, SPI, TCPI, and performance indices.
Coordinate with project managers, finance, and scheduling teams to validate project data and assumptions.
Maintain accurate cost and schedule databases for multiple projects, programs, or portfolios.
Develop and implement reporting tools and dashboards to communicate project performance to stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with federal, organizational, and contractual EVM standards, including ANSI/EIA-748.
Support risk management by identifying potential cost and schedule risks and evaluating their impact on performance.
Conduct trend analysis, forecasting, and predictive modeling to inform decision-making.
Review subcontractor performance data and integrate into program-level earned value reporting.
Assist in budget planning, resource allocation, and funding profile management for projects.
Facilitate periodic program reviews, technical interchange meetings, and performance assessment workshops.
Ensure that all earned value calculations, schedules, and reports are auditable and traceable.
Provide guidance and training to project control staff on earned value management practices and tools.
Collaborate with systems engineers and program managers to integrate technical progress metrics into performance measurement.
Prepare executive summaries, status reports, and presentations for leadership, customers, and oversight agencies.
Evaluate performance measurement processes and recommend improvements for efficiency and accuracy.
Support contract modifications and change management processes through earned value analysis.
Maintain awareness of industry best practices and updates to EVM standards, ensuring continuous compliance.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data analysis, metrics reporting, and dashboard creation.
Contribute to the organization's program control and project management strategy.
Collaborate with IT and data teams to improve EVM reporting systems and analytics.
Participate in audits, compliance reviews, and internal continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Earned Value Management (EVM) and ANSI/EIA-748 compliance
Cost and schedule analysis
Project performance measurement and forecasting
Integrated baseline review (IBR) processes
Variance analysis and corrective action planning
Budgeting, cost control, and resource allocation
Scheduling software (MS Project, Primavera P6)
Data analytics and reporting (Excel, BI tools)
Risk assessment and mitigation integration
Financial systems and program control tools

Soft Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Effective communication and presentation skills
Attention to detail and accuracy
Organizational and time management skills
Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
Leadership and team management
Decision-making under pressure
Adaptability in dynamic project environments
Coaching and mentoring skills
Strategic thinking and process improvement orientation

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Education:
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Engineering, or Project Management

Relevant Fields of Study:

Project Management or Program Management
Finance, Accounting, or Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
5–10 years in project control, cost analysis, or earned value management

Preferred:
Experience managing multi-million-dollar programs, leading EVM implementation, and reporting to executive leadership or government agencies