Actual Cost
EVM Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Actual Cost is another name for Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP) — the real cost incurred for work completed in a given period.
"Actual Cost" is simply the shorter, commonly used name for Actual Cost of Work Performed. It refers to the same figure: the cost incurred and recorded for work actually accomplished, including recorded incurred costs and estimated actuals.
Why it matters
Because the terms are interchangeable, seeing "Actual Cost," "AC," or "ACWP" in different reports shouldn't cause confusion — they all point to the same underlying cost data used across every EVM performance calculation.
Also known as
Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP); commonly abbreviated AC
Used in
Cost Performance Index (CPI = BCWP / ACWP); Cost Variance (CV = BCWP - ACWP)
FAQ
Is "Actual Cost" a different metric from ACWP?
No — it's the same figure under a shorter, informal name.
Which name should I use in reports?
Either is acceptable; ACWP is more common in formal EVMS documentation, while "Actual Cost" or "AC" is common in everyday conversation.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
