What are the 3 Earned Value methods?


Editorial team Published on

The three primary earned value (EV) methods—classified by how work effort is defined and measured in project management—are Discrete Effort, Apportioned Effort, and Level of Effort (LOE).

📊 1. Discrete Effort

  • Directly measurable work yielding a specific, tangible output or product.
  • Tied to distinct milestones or deliverables.
  • Common sub-methods include:
    • Fixed Formula: Credits a set % at start/finish (e.g., 50/50 or 0/100 rule).
    • Weighted Milestones: Divides work into intermediate sub-milestones.
    • Percent Complete: Periodically estimates physical completion percentage.

📉 2. Apportioned Effort

  • Supportive work whose performance is directly tied to a discrete activity.
  • Scales automatically based on the progress of the related base task.
  • Common example: Quality assurance or inspection tasks tied to a manufacturing run.

📌 3. Level of Effort (LOE)

  • Support or management activities that do not yield a definitive final product.
  • Consumed strictly across a passage of time rather than physical output.
  • Common example: Project management, coordination, or general supervision.
  • Earned value equals planned value over time by default.