Calculate Cost Performance Index (CPI)

The Cost Performance Index (CPI) describes the relationship at the project or task level between the planned cost and actual cost. Project Managers review this metric to identify tasks or projects currently tracking under or over cost at a given point. Cost can be measured in hours or dollars, depending on your Performance Index Method (PIM). For more information about setting the Performance Index Method, see Set the Performance Index Method (PIM).

Only organizations that require time entry can use CPI. Furthermore, cost-based PIM values are accurate only in organizations that have defined cost rates for task assignees (job roles or users).

Access requirements

You must have the following access to perform the steps in this article:

Adobe Workfront plan*

Any
Adobe Workfront license*

Review or higher
Access level configurations*

View access to Projects and Financial Data

If you still don't have access, ask your Workfront administrator if they set additional restrictions in your access level. For information on how a Workfront administrator can modify your access level, see Create or modify custom access levels.
Object permissions

View or higher permissions to the project with permissions to View Finance

For information on requesting additional access, see Request access to objects .

*To find out what plan, license type, or access you have, contact your Workfront administrator.

Overview of the Cost Performance Index (CPI)

The CPI value

Project managers understand that a CPI value of 1 means the project is exactly on budget. Values greater than 1 indicate a project is under budget (fewer hours or expenses have been recorded than originally planned), and values less than 1 mean a project is over budget (more hours or expenses have been recorded than originally planned). The further from 1, the greater deviation from the plan.

CPI Value Indication on Budget
1 On plan or budget
> 1 (greater than 1) Under budget
< 1 (less than 1) Over budget

How CPI is calculated

In Adobe Workfront, the calculation for CPI depends on the Performance Index Method selected for the project. For more information about setting the Performance Index Method, see Set the Performance Index Method (PIM).

CPI calculations when using Hour-based PIM

If

Actual Hours > 0 THEN CPI = Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed / Actual Hours

Otherwise

CPI = 1

  • For a non-parent task:

    Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed = Planned Hours * (Percent Complete / 100)

  • For a parent task:
    Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed = the sum of the Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed field for all direct child tasks.

  • For a project:
    Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed = the sum of the Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed field for all top level tasks (parents and standalone tasks).

For information about the total Budgeted Cost Work Performed (BCWP), see Calculate Budgeted Cost Work Performed (BCWP).

CPI Calculations when using Cost-based PIM

If

Actual Labor Cost + Incurred Actual Expense Cost <> 0 THEN CPI = (Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed + Incurred Planned Expense Cost) / (Actual Labor Cost + Incurred Actual Expense Cost)

Otherwise

CPI = 1

The fields in this calculation are described below:

Total Actual Cost = Actual (logged) Hours * Hourly Rate of assignees

Incurred Actual Expense Cost = Actual Cost

Incurred Expense is the expense on which Actual Cost > 0

Planned Cost of Incurred Expenses = Total of Planned Cost of all incurred expenses

  • Planned Cost of Work Performed is calculated by the following formula:

    Planned Cost of Work Performed = Planned cost * Percent Complete / 100

The Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed is calculated for the following:

  • For a non-parent task:

    Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed = Planned Labor Cost * Percent Complete / 100

  • For a parent task:

    Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed = SUM(Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed field from all direct child tasks)

  • For a project:

    Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed = SUM(Total Budgeted Cost Work Performed field for all top level tasks)

Locate CPI in a project or task

You can display the CPI of a project or a task in a project or task list or report. In addition, you can view it at the project or task level.

  1. Go to the project or task where you want to view the CPI.

  2. Expand Project Details or Task Details in the left panel, depending on whether you are viewing CPI for a project or task.

  3. Click Finance.

    The CPI displays in the CPI/ SPI/ CSI field.

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