Percent Complete (EV Method)
EVM Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: Percent Complete (EV Method) is an earned value method or technique in which a Work Package or task earns value based on an assessment of how much of its work is complete.
Percent Complete is the most widely used earning technique in practice. Rather than tying Earned Value to fixed milestones or unit counts, it asks the responsible manager to assess the physical progress of the work. That flexibility is why it's used so broadly. To keep the figure credible, the assessment should be supported by Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD).
What this means for you
Because it can be applied to almost any kind of work, Percent Complete carries a large share of the Earned Value reported on most projects. That makes the quality of the assessment a major factor in whether performance data can be trusted. Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD) lets a reviewer check the progress claimed.
Also known as
Manager's Assessment Method, % Complete
Used in
Earned Value calculations from an assessed percentage of a Work Package
See also
FAQ
Why is this method also called "Manager's Assessment"?
Because the responsible manager assesses the physical progress of the work, rather than counting units or finished milestones. That assessment should be supported by Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD).
Is the Percent Complete (EV Method) considered a reliable earning technique?
Yes, when it's properly supported. The percent complete should be an assessment of physical progress, backed by Quantifiable Backup Data (QBD). Without that support, the figure claimed is just an opinion.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
