EAC Analysis - Overview

GovCon: EAC Analysis

 Why Would Customer Use?

An Estimate at Completion (EAC) analysis is used in project management—especially in Earned Value Management (EVM)—to predict the total cost of a project at completion based on current performance. Here’s why someone would use an EAC analysis:

• Forecast Total Project Cost

  • EAC provides a realistic projection of the final cost of a project, using current actuals and performance trends.

• Identify Budget Overruns Early

  • If EAC is higher than the original budget (BAC), it signals cost overruns early—giving project managers a chance to take corrective actions.

• Evaluate Project Health

  • EAC is part of EVM metrics and helps assess how the project is performing financially in real-time. It complements metrics like CPI (Cost Performance Index) and SPI (Schedule Performance Index).

• Support Decision-Making

  • Leaders use EAC to:

    • Reallocate resources

    • Adjust scope

    • Inform stakeholders

    • Make go/no-go decisions for project continuation

• Improve Future Estimates

  • EAC analysis provides historical insights that can be used to refine cost estimating techniques for future projects.

• Track Against Baseline

  • Comparing EAC to the Budget at Completion (BAC) or initial baseline lets teams measure variance and analyze how far off they are.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is EAC Analysis?
  Estimate at Completion (EAC) Analysis is a project management technique used to forecast the total expected cost of a project based on current performance. It is a core component of Earned Value Management (EVM).

• Why would a customer use EAC Analysis?
  It provides a data-driven view of where a project is headed financially. Key use cases include:

  • Forecasting the total project cost using current actuals and performance trends

  • Identifying budget overruns early, while there is still time for corrective action

  • Evaluating project health alongside metrics like CPI and SPI

  • Supporting decisions around resource reallocation, scope adjustments, and go/no-go calls

  • Improving future cost estimates using historical performance insights

  • Tracking variance against the original Budget at Completion (BAC)

• Does EAC Analysis require an additional fee?
  Yes. An annual fee is required, and the GovCon module must be enabled. Contact Sales before enabling this feature for any customer.

• What conditions must be met before generating an EAC Analysis?
  Two things must be in place before clicking Generate:

  • The Status Date must be set

  • Active, approved baselines must exist for PMB (Performance Measurement Baseline), MTH (Monthly Time-Phased Baseline), and ETC (Estimate to Complete Baseline)

• How do I generate EAC Analysis data?
  Navigate to EAC Analysis from the project toolbar and click Generate Data. EV period data will automatically populate based on the three required baselines for the current reporting period.

• How can I customize the EAC Analysis view?
  Several options are available:

  • Column Kabob Menu — filter and sort data within any column

  • Date Range Selector — narrow the view to a specific period

  • Show Columns — display only the most relevant columns

  • Export to Excel — download data for sharing outside Cora

  • Save Views — preserve custom filters, columns, and layouts for future use

  • Expand Screen — maximize the view to reduce scrolling

  • Group Data — drag and drop column headers to reorganize how data is displayed

• What is the most important prerequisite to check before generating?
  Confirm the Status Date is set and that active, approved baselines exist for all three required types - PMB, MTH, and ETC. Missing any one of these will prevent data from generating correctly.

• Can EAC Analysis data be generated for a prior period?
  No. EAC Analysis data can only be generated for the current period. If a prior period was not generated at the time, the system cannot go back and retroactively create it. Generate EAC Analysis data each period without skipping to avoid permanent gaps in your reporting history.