Variance Analysis Report (VAR)
Government Standards
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: A Variance Analysis Report (VAR) identifies significant cost and schedule variances on a project, along with their size, causes, immediate impact, and planned corrective actions.
A VAR is normally prepared once a variance crosses a pre-set Variance Analysis Threshold. It documents what happened, why it happened, what management is doing about it, and the anticipated impact on the final outcome.
Why it matters
A VAR turns a raw variance number into an explanation people can actually act on, rather than leaving stakeholders to guess why it occurred. It's core evidence that a project's management team understands and is actively managing its problems.
Also known as
N/A
Used in
Variance Analysis Thresholds (determines when a VAR is required)
See also
FAQ
Who usually writes a Variance Analysis Report?
Typically the Control Account Manager responsible for the control account where the variance occurred.
What triggers the need for a VAR?
A cost or schedule variance crossing a pre-set Variance Analysis Threshold.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
