Units Complete Method

Quick definition: The Units Complete Method is an earned value method or technique that measures progress as the ratio of units completed to date over the total number of units required.

Units Complete is applicable where a number of essentially equivalent items need to be processed or produced. Examples include tests to be performed, parts to be produced, inspections to complete, and installations to complete. As long as, for performance measurement purposes, you can consider each unit to be of approximately equal weight, Units Complete is calculated as the ratio of actual units completed divided by the total number of units to be completed. Each unit is counted on a 0/100 basis — partial progress is not allowed.

What this means for you

Because it's based on a simple, countable ratio, the Units Complete Method removes subjectivity from progress measurement in repetitive work — there's little room to argue about whether 40 of 100 units are actually done. It's one of several standard earning methods used to translate physical progress into earned value.

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