Apportioned Effort (AE)
EVM Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Apportioned Effort is an earned value method or technique that is applied in cases where accomplishment is measured in relation to a related, directly measurable task.
Apportioned Effort applies when a task's own output isn't practical to measure discretely, so its earned value is instead tied to the progress of another, related task that is measured directly. As that base task earns value, the apportioned task earns value automatically. The base must itself be Discrete Effort — Apportioned Effort cannot be tied to Level of Effort, because that would make it earn by the passage of time rather than by accomplishment.
What this means for you
Apportioned Effort allows value to be earned in direct proportion to the supported task, eliminating the need for additional progress reporting. Apportioned is often preferable to Level of Effort measurement, where value is earned as planned solely based on the passage of time.
Also known as
Apportioned
Used in
Earned Value calculations for support-type Work Packages measured against progress on other discrete Work Packages
FAQ
What's a typical example of Apportioned Effort?
Quality control or inspection effort that supports underlying engineering, manufacturing, or production efforts.
How is it different from Level of Effort?
Level of Effort is time-based support work with no measurable output of its own; Apportioned Effort earns in direct proportion to discretely measured related effort.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
