AACE EVP study plan
AACE EVP · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Earned Value Management Fundamentals & Planning and Baseline Development
Define EVM core terminology (PV, EV, AC, BAC, EAC, ETC, VAC) in your own words without notes
Distinguish EVM from traditional cost/schedule tracking by listing three concrete differences
Map the WBS-to-control-account hierarchy and label where work packages and planning packages sit
Identify the inputs and outputs of baseline development in correct sequence
Your checkpoint
A one-page terminology and hierarchy diagram (hand-drawn or digital) covering all core EVM terms and the WBS/control-account structure
Planning and Baseline Development
Construct a work-package-level baseline from a sample scope description, assigning PV by period
Write measurable completion criteria for at least three work packages
Select an appropriate earned value technique (weighted milestone, percent complete, 0/100) for each package and justify the choice
Reconcile a bottom-up baseline to a summary-level budget and flag discrepancies
Your checkpoint
A completed sample baseline table with time-phased PV by work package, completion criteria, and chosen EV technique per package
Earned Value Management Fundamentals & Earned Value Measurement and Analysis
Compute CV, SV, CPI, SPI, and percent complete from a provided data set with no errors
Interpret each index and variance in plain language for a non-technical stakeholder
Explain why negative SV can coexist with a favorable SPI and give a numeric example
Differentiate cost performance from schedule performance in a short written analysis
Your checkpoint
A worked problem set of at least 10 metric calculations with written interpretations for each result
Earned Value Measurement and Analysis
Analyze a data set to identify the root cause of a variance and recommend a corrective action
Apply earned schedule concepts to validate an SPI that masks schedule slippage
Evaluate performance at the control-account level to locate where the project is drifting
Produce a variance analysis narrative that separates fact from inference
Your checkpoint
A control-account-level variance analysis report (1-2 pages) with root-cause findings and at least two corrective recommendations
Reporting and Forecasting
Calculate EAC using at least three distinct methods and explain when each applies
Compute ETC, VAC, and TCPI and interpret what each signals about recovery feasibility
Draft a forecast narrative that states assumptions behind the chosen EAC method
Build a simple trend chart or table showing CPI and SPI over three reporting periods
Your checkpoint
A forecasting worksheet with three EAC methods, TCPI, and a written forecast narrative stating assumptions
Reporting and Forecasting & Change Management and Integrated Baseline Reviews
Design a one-page management report that surfaces variances, forecasts, and actions for an executive audience
Describe the change control process flow from request through baseline reapproval
Distinguish scope changes from internal replanning and state the baseline impact of each
Identify what triggers a baseline change versus what is handled within the existing baseline
Your checkpoint
A mock executive status report plus a change control process flowchart with baseline-impact annotations
Change Management and Integrated Baseline Reviews
List the objectives, participants, and typical agenda of an Integrated Baseline Review
Prepare the evidence categories an IBR team would request and explain why each matters
Identify common baseline weaknesses an IBR is designed to expose
Outline how IBR findings feed back into baseline revisions and change control
Your checkpoint
An IBR preparation checklist covering objectives, evidence requests, and follow-up actions
Earned Value Management Fundamentals & Planning and Baseline Development & Earned Value Measurement and Analysis & Reporting and Forecasting & Change Management and Integrated Baseline Reviews
Complete a timed full-length practice assessment and score it by domain
Re-study the two weakest domains based on practice results
Re-derive all core formulas from memory and check against references
Summarize each domain's key concepts on a single review sheet
Your checkpoint
A scored practice assessment with a domain-by-domain error log and a one-page formula and concept review sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Can build a time-phased baseline with correct PV distribution and justified EV techniques without references
Week 4: Scores 80% or higher on a self-made metric calculation and variance analysis quiz
Week 6: Can produce a complete executive report and explain the change control flow to a colleague without notes
Week 8: Practice assessment shows no domain below 70% and all core formulas reproduced from memory