Name Formula Explanation

No. of n (n-1)/2 n should include the project

Communication n = number of members in the team manager
Channels
e.g. if the no. of team
members increase from 4 to 5,
the increase in
communication channels:
5(5-1)/2 – 4(4-1)/2 = 4
Schedule SPI = EV/PV < 1 behind schedule
Performance Index EV = Earned Value = 1 on schedule
(SPI) PV = Planned Value > 1 ahead of schedule
Cost Performance CPI = EV/AC < 1 Over budget
Index (CPI) EV = Earned Value = 1 On budget
AC = Actual Cost > 1 Under budget

sometimes the term

‘cumulative CPI’ would be
shown, which actually is the
CPI up to that moment
Schedule Variance SV = EV – PV < 0 Behind schedule
(SV) EV = Earned Value = 0 On schedule
PV = Planned Value > 0 Ahead of schedule
Cost Variance (CV) CV = EV – AC < 0 Over budget
EV = Earned Value = 0 On budget
AC = Actual Cost > 0 Within budget
Estimate at EAC = AC + New ETC if the original estimate is
Completion (EAC) if AC = Actual Cost based on wrong
original is flawed New ETC = New Estimate to data/assumptions or
Completion circumstances have changed
Estimate at EAC = AC + BAC – EV the variance is caused by a
Completion (EAC) if AC = Actual Cost one-time event and is not
BAC remains the BAC = Budget at completion likely to happen again
same EV = Earned Value
Estimate at EAC = BAC/CPI if the CPI would remain the
Completion (EAC) if BAC = Budget at completion same till end of project, i.e.
CPI remains the CPI = Cost performance index the original estimation is not
same accurate
Estimate at EAC = AC + [(BAC -EV)/(CPI*SPI)] use when the question gives
Completion (EAC) if all the values (AC, BAC, EV, CPI

2
substandard AC = Actual Cost and SPI), otherwise, this
performance BAC = Budget at completion formula is not likely to be used
continues EV = Earned Value
CPI = Cost Performance Index
SPI = Schedule Performance Index
To-Complete TCPI = (BAC – EV)/ < 1 Under budget
Performance Index (BAC – AC) = 1 On budget
(TCPI) BAC = Budget at completion > 1 Over budget
EV = Earned value
AC = Actual Cost
TCPI = Remaining Work
/Remaining Funds
BAC = Budget at completion
EV = Earned value
CPI = Cost performance index
Estimate to ETC = EAC -AC
Completion EAC = Estimate at Completion
AC = Actual Cost
Variance at VAC = BAC – EAC < 0 Over budget
Completion BAC = Budget at completion = 0 On budget
EAC = Estimate at Completion > 0 Under budget
PERT Estimation (O + 4M + P)/6
O= Optimistic estimate
M= Most Likely estimate
P= Pessimistic estimate
Standard Deviation (P – O)/6 this is a rough estimate for
O= Optimistic estimate the standard deviation
P= Pessimistic estimate
Float/Slack LS – ES = 0 On critical path
LS = Late start < 0 Behind schedule
ES = Early start
LF – EF
LF = Late finish
EF = Early finish

The above 17 PMP® formulas are all that you’ll need for the PMP® Exam in the latest PMBOK®
Guide edition. Try to learn them and understand their applications by heart and you will be able to
solve the calculation questions in the real PMP® Exam.