Budgeted Cost for Work Performed (BCWP)
EVM Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Budgeted Cost for Work Performed (BCWP), also called Earned Value, is the budgeted value of the work performed. It can be measured for a single period or cumulative to date.
BCWP adds up the budgeted value of the work performed, including the earned portion of Work Packages still in progress. It is one of the three core Earned Value Management (EVM) measures, along with Budgeted Cost for Work Scheduled (BCWS, or Planned Value) and Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP, or Actual Cost). Some sources write "Budgeted Cost of Work Performed"; this encyclopedia uses "for."
What this means for you
Comparing BCWP to BCWS shows whether work is ahead of or behind schedule. Comparing it to ACWP shows whether it's costing more or less than planned.
Also known as
Earned Value (EV)
Used in
Cost Performance Index; Schedule Performance Index; Cost Variance; Schedule Variance
See also
Budgeted Cost for Work Scheduled
Actual Cost of Work Performed
Cost Performance Index
Schedule Performance Index
Cost Variance
Schedule Variance
EVMS Interpretation Guide
Planning & Scheduling Excellence Guide
FAQ
Is BCWP the same as Earned Value?
Yes. Earned Value is simply the more common, shorter name for the same figure.
Does BCWP include work that's only partly finished?
Yes. Work Packages still in progress contribute the earned portion of their budget, depending on the Earned Value method used.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
