Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607

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Automation in Construction
j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w. e l s ev i e r. c o m / l o c a t e / a u t c o n

Visualized EVM system for assessing project performance

Jui-Sheng Chou ⁎, Hung-Ming Chen, Chuan-Chien Hou, Chun-Wei Lin
Department of Construction Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec. 4, Keelung Rd., Taipei 106, Taiwan

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This work presents a Web-based visualized architecture, design, and implementation for assessing project
Accepted 24 February 2010 performance by integrating earned value (EV) analysis and database management system (DBMS).
Particularly, a novel probabilistic multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) process is applied to identify the
Keywords: optimal software for developing the Web-based DBMS based on interviews with domain experts and
Earned value management professional engineers. EV analysis serves as a control technique that helps project managers (PMs) monitor
MIS
cost overruns and project delays. Leveraging modern technology, Web service enables PMs to access project
Web technology
MCDM
information without constraints of time or place. The developed management information system (MIS)
Project control provides an objective measure of completed work that PMs can use to monitor project progress and assess
Project management project achievements by converting project data into manageable information clusters. Additionally, the
system offers construction personnel a simple and flexible method of tracking, modifying, and updating cost
and time-based project data.
© 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Infrastructure projects frequently experience scheduling problems
and cost overruns during the construction phase. Hence, it is
necessary to exploit modern technology to boost monitoring
capability, scheduling accuracy, and cost estimates in construction
engineering. Information technology (IT) alleviates the need for
project managers to perform the monotonous tasks of documenting,
analyzing, and presenting project information. Construction compa-
nies can improve their business operations and profits by frequently
monitoring key project performance indicators to immediately detect
and correct cost and schedule overruns. While contractors can
customize their own automated systems to track project progress,
developing such systems requires extra expenses besides normal
operations.
Presenting data visually is a critical business process [8,10,21]
since visual information is clearer and easier to understand than
qualitative and numeric information. Effective visual presentation
using adequate management technique, such as earned value analysis,
eliminates the need for companies to train staff to interpret
qualitative and complex numerical information. Automating visual-
ization is also essential owing to its ability to reduce the need to
manually analyze and present information. Therefore, project infor-
mation must be presented visually and automatically for efficient
control process.
⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +886 2 27376321; fax: +886 2 27376606.
E-mail addresses: jschou@mail.ntust.edu.tw (J.-S. Chou),
hungming@mail.ntust.edu.tw (H.-M. Chen), D9605001@mail.ntust.edu.tw (C.-C. Hou),
m9705504@mail.ntust.edu.tw (C.-W. Lin).
Data and information systems that offer data access without
constraints of time and place are a global trend driving the popularity
of Web services. Independence from software applications is the
strongest advantage of Web-based technology. Such systems do not
require complicated functions, and their relatively low application
costs have further popularized their use [6,8,10]. This study focuses on
developing project control and monitoring (PC&M) tool during the
execution phase, and Fig. 1 illustrates the full project data life-cycle
framework and the position of proposed earned value management
system (EVMS) for assessing project performance.
Specifically, Fig. 1 indicates that the effective implementation of
EVMS strongly influences the project execution phase, during which
project information must be detailed and the capability to change
costs and schedule reduces as the project progresses [24]. Work
breakdown structure (WBS) design and other project management
techniques are generally recommended for project initiation and
planning [23], and the generated data can be saved into an operational
database for subsequent monitoring and documentation (Fig. 1).
Project managers (PMs) can then update and modify the project
schedule and cost estimates as necessary. Stakeholders can also use
the proposed EVMS to establish a consensus with their PMs regard-
ing a scope–time–cost baseline. Project information is subsequently
acquired during construction, fed into the earned value management
(EVM) process and used to update the EVMS as detailed below.
During the project closeout stage, the EVMS structured data can be
normalized using data warehouse relational modeling for possible
future retrieval. Using Web-based technology, the data warehouse
(DW) can be made available on the Internet (Fig. 1), enabling PMs to
access both project information and the DW whenever necessary. The
DW can also be mined to yield nugget rules or implicit knowledge that

0926-5805/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.autcon.2010.02.006
 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607
Fig. 1. Data life cycle in project management.
could be beneficial in future similar project initiation and planning,
since the DW also stores valuable information regarding project
functions, features, and characteristics.
A growing trend among business organizations is to expand e-
business operations using Web-based systems. Although numerous
corporations have achieved competitive advantages using IT, few
have developed Web-based management information systems for
PC&M, particularly systems that integrate EVM. This study thus
designs a visualized database management system (DBMS) with
graph drawing package for real-time PC&M using earned value (EV)
metrics. Additionally, a novel probabilistic multiple criteria decision
making (MCDM) process, analytical hierarchy process (AHP) with
Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), is applied to identify the optimal
software for developing the Web-based DBMS based on interviews
with domain experts and professional engineers.
The rest of this paper is organized as follows. Section 2 reviews
pertinent literature on project performance measurement and draws
links with the proposed research. Section 3 then outlines the system
framework and methodology adopted for Web-based EVMS devel-
opment. Next, Section 4 describes system requirements with decision
making process, system architecture, design and implementation, and
system validation using case study. Finally, Section 5 concludes by
presenting study contributions, cautions regarding implementation,
and areas requiring improvement.
2. Pertinent literature
Numerous industries and projects have successfully implemented
project performance measurement (PPM) [16,20,22]. Accordingly,
information technology is important in effective PPM since it facili-
tates data handling [8]. Earned value management is a PPM procedure
that objectively monitors the physical completion of construction
work [12,31]. Because EVM integrates schedule and cost performance
measurements with overall project scope, it has become an important
tool for construction managers in project control. Although managers
can utilize conventional EV analysis to assess project performance and
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detect problems early enough to allow corrective action, the
advantages of IT applications have not yet been fully exploited by
the construction industry.
Besides serving as a core PPM technique, EVM helps PMs control
project progress by increasing prediction accuracy. EVM also provides
a platform for project control by consolidating information and
appropriating risks, enabling unified and accurate project risk controls
[20,28]. Specifically, EVM is a technique for controlling and managing
projects by consolidating vital project data and expressing it usefully,
highlighting risks, and measuring project performance [19]. Conse-
quently, the analytical results obtained using EVM provide a project
performance measurement baseline (PPMB) for determining and
controlling project outcomes through appropriate action.
To help PMs reduce the adverse impacts of unexpected situations,
Hemachandra and Ruwanpura (2008) devised a control tool inte-
grating MCS and EVM [17]. Alternatively, Benjaoran (2009) employed
a collaborative approach to develop a cost control system for five
selected small- and medium-sized contractors [4]. The author adopted
a new and efficient cost control system based on EV and developed it
using easily-learned ICT (information and communication technolo-
gies). Furthermore, Lipke et al. (2009) improved the capability of
PMs to make informed decisions by providing a reliable method of
forecasting final cost and project duration [22].
Rather than using the EVM essentials, Cheung et al. (2004)
designed a Web-based construction project performance monitoring
system intended to assist PMs with construction project control [8].
The authors measured project performance in terms of people, cost,
time, quality, safety and health, environment, client satisfaction, and
communication. Although these studies promoted EVM methods or
employed project monitoring system, none of them designed a man-
agement information system to embed the EVM theory into practice
via automatic visual graphing for the construction project control and
monitoring.
Successful implementation of EVM requires considerable organi-
zational support, including top-level management support, organiza-
tional integration, and effective training. Moreover, Kim et al. (2003)
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demonstrated that acceptance and adoption of EVM increases

significantly if the EVM application is user-centered and employs an
appropriate methodology, project environment, and implementation
process [20]. Thus, an effective Web-based EVMS can overcome these
deficiencies once implemented by engineering professionals with
top-level support on the basis of mutual trust, knowledge sharing, and
relational consensus between contractors and stakeholders.
Previous works have examined the potential of engineering
applications for automatic data retrieval [2,15]. For example, Ghanem
and Abdelrazig (2006) presented a new model, based on wireless
communications technologies, for tracking construction project
progress [15]. The proposed model employed a Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID) system to increase productivity and efficiency,
reduce labor and tracking time, and generate accurate estimates.
Alheraish (2004) discussed the design and implementation of a home
automation system that integrates the controlled devices, microcon-
troller, and a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)
module for numerous applications [2].
Fig. 2. EVM graphical representation.
While the convenience of remote data retrieval is attractive,
conducting subjective and experienced judgments of work progress
measures and documentation for PC&M is essential owing to the
uncertainties surrounding construction projects during execution. construction cost incurred, and the EV curve, also known as the
Thus, PMs require a tracking system with an easy, flexible, customized, budgeted cost of work performed (BCWP), represents the actual
secure, economical and easily scaled-up database management plat- payments received for completed work. The AC and EV curves are
form [5,10,27] to monitor work progress. dynamic during construction. Moreover, project performance can be
An EVM can be efficiently implemented using a WBS associated measured using project Cost Variance (CV, EV minus AC), Schedule
with data on project time, cost and scope [3,19]. Additionally, effective Variance (SV, EV minus PV), Cost Performance Index (CPI, EV/AC),
EV analysis requires on-site managers to provide accurate and timely Schedule Performance Index (SPI, EV/PV), and combined cost–
project data input. Whereas site data is traditionally recorded on schedule index (CPI × SPI) [23].
paper and then manually inputted, modern IT tools facilitate auto-
matic data acquisition and input, improving project control and cost
3.2. Simplified EVM process components
management [8,10,13,21]. Such tools include bar-code technology,
pen-based computers, RFID, multimedia, and LADAR. However, the
Constructing the EVM curves requires dividing the contractor bid
training costs and learning time of the above IT applications are a key
into time values (e.g., monthly or weekly), and presenting the payment
concern during construction. Due to the challenges, integration of the
dates as points on the time-axis. This schedule can then be used to
Web service, DBMS, EVM, open source software (OSS), and graph
determine the actual work values to be completed in each time slot. The
tools proposed in this study clarifies the animation of data visuali-
earned value is the total payment from the client to the contractor.
zation with minimal cost and flat learning curve based simply on the
Although valuing work on a construction site is challenging [14],
experienced judgment of on-site managers, and the system prompts
accurate status appraisal by the experienced engineers or responsible
continuous progress curves and performance indexes as required.
managers of ongoing activities under conditions of mutual trust
between the client and the contractor ensures the effectiveness of
3. EVM framework and system flow
EVM [31].
Fig. 3 illustrates the project data components and processes
3.1. EVM metrics for the construction phase
represented in the graph. The verified work scope and organization
resources enable activity-based scheduling using detailed work
This section describes a fundamental framework for visualizing the
packages that include task description, task start and finish dates,
EV analysis process and applying it as a PPMB tool. Since a
budget and resources required for task completion, and the person in
construction project integrates numerous activities that ultimately
charge of the activity. When the stakeholders consolidate the baseline,
result in project delivery, each activity has its own schedule and cost,
the project can be executed in a comparable manner to the ongoing
and each is closely linked to other activities (a situation normally
actual progress.
identified as a lead–lag relationship). Consequently, scope, time, cost,
Integrating the project data components and processes into the
and quality are most significant components during construction.
proposed EVMS offers the following functions and benefits: (1) a data
Distinctively, scope indicates the work required for successful
collection interface; (2) variance analysis during project progress;
project completion, time is the period required for project completion,
(3) work efficiency index; (4) trend analysis; (5) project status;
cost denotes the capitals required to complete the work, and quality is
(6) timely and accurate problem identification; (7) a basis for correc-
measured based on owner (or their representative) acceptance of
tive action; and (8) low development costs as a result of adopting OSS.
work performed. EVM integrates these components to measure
Additionally, the system can fulfill decision support functions for
project outcomes. The x-axis of the EVM diagram (Fig. 2) represents
detecting cost trends and schedule overruns. Accordingly, the project
time. The y-axis could represent planned cost, actual cost of work
manager can investigate problems by proposing corrective action to
performed (ACWP), and work items that have been inspected and
improve productivity or work rates.
paid for (or earned) possessing the required quality.
The primary curves on the EVM diagram (Fig. 2) include planned
value (PV), actual cost (AC), and EV. The PV curve, also known as the 3.3. Data preparation for visual presentation
budgeted cost of work scheduled (BCWS) curve, represents planned
work. The initially submitted and accepted contractor bid contains Project managers must regularly gather and update baseline
the PV information. Meanwhile, the AC curve represents the total project data. Fig. 4 presents a simplified data flow chart for facilitating
 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607 599

Fig. 3. Simplified process components for the EVMS.

EVMS implementation. Real-time measurement of project perfor- ➢ Work scope data, including
mance using the proposed system requires further analysis and • Detailed activities or work packages in the WBS with required
presentation of the following data: quality.

Fig. 4. Data flow from the project life-cycle perspective.

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➢ Project time data, including
• Actual task start and finish dates.
• Expected task start and finish dates.
• Estimated task completion ratio.
➢ Project cost data, including
• Actual costs incurred in task completion.
• Expected costs of task completion.
• Actual payments received for completed work.
3.4. Project control and operations flow
EVMS can facilitate project control during construction by
providing a platform for users to continuously analyze project
information within an IT architecture. The proposed system also
provides a document trail that project stakeholders can follow from
project initiation through to closeout. Consequently, the EVMS can be
transformed into a data warehouse as project completion, which has a
potential to become a valuable explicit corporate knowledge asset.
Fig. 5 shows operating flow of the system framework. On the EVMS
main menu, the system provides a Web-based interface that enables
the user to input real-world data, as described previously, to facilitate
a baseline comparison via EV analysis. Baseline information can be
loaded from preliminary planning or similar projects.
During user analysis, the system fulfills three primary functions to
assess project performance: variance analysis, work efficiency
evaluation, and trend analysis. For variance analysis, the schedule
and cost variances are automatically calculated and graphically
presented. Furthermore, the database can store data on tracking and
documentation. For work efficiency assessment and trend analysis, a
project forecasting report can incorporate cost and time outputs.
Fig. 5. Operations flow of the Web-based EVMS.
Notably, experienced managers are responsible for taking appropriate
action if necessary after reviewing the EVMS outputs.
4. Web-based EVMS design and implementation
The EVMS is a Web-based system via which owners, executive
managers, project managers and engineers can access real-time
construction project data and progress reports with distinct autho-
rized accounts. The system development phases include the following
five steps: programming tools and system requirements, DBMS
selection analysis, system design analysis, system implementation,
and system validation using a sample case.
4.1. Programming tools and system requirements
The Web-based system comprises client-side programming
language, server-side programming language, a graph drawing
package, and a DBMS. Exclusively, the proposed system employs
JavaScript, PHP (PHP Hypertext Preprocessor), and Open Flash Chart
for the client-side, server-side language, and flash graph drawing tool,
respectively. JavaScript is a lightweight interpretation and scripting
language designed to add interactivity to HTML (Hyper Text Markup
Language) pages [29]. JavaScript, which is generally embedded
directly into HTML pages, is open source. Meanwhile, PHP is a
server-side scripting language that supports multiple databases [30].
Open Flash Chart can help developers and users to automatically
construct miscellaneous charts, including line, bar, pie, and area charts
shown in flash animations. Both the PHP and Open Flash Chart are also
OSS that can be freely downloaded and used for minimal cost [26,32].
Given these merits, this study uses JavaScript, PHP and Open Flash
Chart as the programming and graphing languages in developing the
Web-based system.
 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607
Regarding the selection of DBMS, which is the core engine for the
EVMS, current popular software, including MS-Access, MS SQL Server,
MySQL, and Oracle were targeted as candidates. To clarify the
potential criteria in software selection, IT personnel, project man-
agers, and potential users were surveyed via a questionnaire that
included items on the importance of individual criteria from the
perspective of developers: (1) price, (2) technical support, (3) user
interface, (4) cross-platform ability, (5) database capability, (6) data
import/export ability, (7) data limitations, (8) data layout model, (9)
expansion ability, (10) hardware requirement, (11) security, and (12)
backup and recovery ability. Since these 12 criteria dimensions result
in burden for decision making and appear equally important, a scree-
plot technique [9] of priority weighting versus criteria was imple-
mented during the second phase to identify the most critical criteria,
resulting in database capability, backup and recovery ability, security,
user interface, cross-platform ability, and data import/export ability.
Although the dimensions of the evaluation criteria are reduced, the
priority decision from multiple groups regarding the core engine
DBMS remains unclear and uncertain.
4.2. MCS-AHP MCDM process for DBMS selection
To alleviate concerns regarding DBMS selection by applying critical
evaluation criteria to multiple groups, a novel AHP with MCS
procedure is proposed as a probabilistic MCDM technique to
determine the optimal software for DBMS implementation. The AHP
model, originally developed by Saaty (1980) [25], is designed to
quantify relative priorities for a given set of alternatives on a ratio
scale [1]. Nevertheless, conventional AHP often causes decision
dilemma for yielding nearly equivalent priority coefficients. In
contrast, simulation modeling performs different decision scenario
experiments without disrupting MCDM process. Thus, integration of
MCS-AHP can reinforce and facilitate managerial decision making by
giving clear attribute weightings under uncertainty and confidence
level. Diverse application examples include clearly prioritizing quality
attributes in service management [18], prioritizing contractor pre-
qualification with criteria determined by owner requirements and
preferences as well as the characteristics of the individual contractors
[1], probabilistic EV analysis for predicting project performance under
uncertainty [17], and range estimation incorporating desired confi-
dence level for construction cost management [11].
Fig. 6 depicts the AHP hierarchy based on the above critical criteria
(Level 2) and candidate software (Level 3). Table 1 lists the relative
scale measurement with corresponding verbal description [25] that
Fig. 6. Hierarchy of criteria and alternatives.
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Table 1
Verbal assessments of the numerical ratings.
Numerical rating Verbal judgments of preferences
9 Extremely preferred
8 Strongly to extremely
7 Strongly preferred
6 Considerably to strongly preferred
5 Considerably preferred
4 Moderately to considerably
3 Moderately preferred
2 Equally to moderately
1 Equally preferred
respondents can use as a reference in making judgments. During this
phase, a panel of experts and experienced engineers were asked to
conduct database rating using a three-point estimation technique
employing minimum, most likely, and maximum values, since the
respondents could assess the constructed triangular distributions
more easily than other distributions [23], and because this technique
is more appropriate for eliciting practical professional experience [7].
Table 2 lists the resulting criteria pair-wise comparison matrices for
the databases in a compact format, given that the structure of the AHP
comparison matrix possesses certain regularity (e.g., a judgment of a
pair-wise comparison (aij) has a reciprocal (1/aij) placed in the
transposed position). The lower triangle of the matrix represents the
average three-point assessment (ATPA) for each database in terms of
how it contributes to the criteria: database capability (DC), backup
and recovery ability (B), security (S), while the upper triangle
indicates the ATPA of the criteria: user interface (U); cross-platform
ability (C); data import/export ability (DI). Fig. 7 shows the above
MCS-AHP flow, which was used repeatedly to synthesize the priority
distributions for the DBMSs. The probabilistic MCDM is repeated until
the judgment consistency reaches the threshold proposed by Saaty.
Fig. 8 illustrates the priority cumulative distribution functions
(CDFs) for the software candidates after performing required MCS. By
intersecting the 95-percent likelihood line with the CDFs, four priority
coefficients can be extracted and presented with normalization in a
pie chart (Fig. 9) ranking MS SQL Server (41.9%), Oracle (25.3%),
MySQL (21.7%), and MS ACCESS (11.1%) in descending order of
priority based on the synthesis of the valuation systems of multiple
groups.
Based on the above investigations and simulations, including ques-
tionnaire analysis and probabilistic MCDM process, the MS SQL Server
is identified as the ideal DBMS software for EVMS development. This
602 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607
Table 2
Pair-wise comparison matrices in the form of triangular distributions for the criteria.
Note: (.,.,.) ≡ ATPA (minimum, most likely, maximum); DC — database capability; B —
backup and recovery ability; S — security; U — user interface; C — cross-platform
ability; DI — data import/export ability.
investigation also demonstrates that MS Access performs weakly in
DBMS development. In summary, based on system requirements and
software selection analysis, the ultimate decision in EVMS development
is to employ free OSS: PHP, JavaScript, Open Flash Chart, and Web
browser together with commercial software: MS SQL Server.
4.3. System design
This phase identifies the database E-R (entity-relationship) diagram,
user status, and all EVMS functions.
4.3.1. Database E-R diagram
Fig. 10 illustrates the E-R diagram of the database, which stores all
EVM-related construction project data. The database contains nine
tables: Project, WorkItem (WI), WI_PlannedScope, WI_ActucalPro-
gress, Cost_ActualScope, EV_Scope, EVM_Kernel, User, and Dept.
Fig. 7. MCS-AHP flowchart.
Fig. 8. Priority CDFs of candidate DBMSs.
These tables can be classified into four modules, including Project,
Work Item, EVM, and User. The Project module contains construction
project data including ID, project name, duration, budget, start date,
end date, and amount of work items. Meanwhile, the Work Item
module stores work item attributes such as ID, Project ID, construction
order, item name, duration, budget, start date, completion date, and so
on. Furthermore, the EVM module includes all construction project
data related to the EVM, such as AC, EV, CV, SV, CPI, SPI, BAC (budget at
completion), EAC (estimated cost at completion), ETC (estimated time
to complete), VAC (variance at completion), and others. Finally, the
User module records system user attributes, including user name,
password, limit level, real name, department name, status, and others.
The relationship between the Project and Work Item modules is one-
to-many, as numerous work items belong to a single project, while only
one project is associated with each work item. The relationship between
the Project and EVM modules is also one-to-many, since numerous daily
reports or weekly EVM updates belong to a single Project, but only one
daily or weekly EVM report has a similar relationship. The relationship
between the Project and User modules is many-to-one, since a Project
can be added by only one user, while a user can add many projects. The
module layout design of this database is expansible if necessary and
can help capture other measurement data related to the construction
project, for example quality and risk data.
4.3.2. System functions
System functions, which are based on practical project manage-
ment tasks, include user information database, searching for project
 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607
Fig. 9. Normalized priorities of the leading databases with 95-percent likelihood.
Fig. 10. E-R diagram.
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EVM information, presenting daily or weekly project data, creating
new projects, and maintaining the EVMS. System users can edit user
information such as password, real name, and department name, and
can also search for project data, input daily or weekly project data, and
add new projects to the system. The system administrator can manage
users and departments. These functions are essential for maintaining
database quality.
4.3.3. User status
Many personnel with different working styles may participate in a
construction project. Participants typically include owners, executive
directors, project managers, and on-site engineers. Individual users
manipulate the system functions according to their personal work
type. Owners, executive directors, or project managers can view real-
time construction project information online. Engineers can search,
add, and input daily or weekly construction project data via the
internet. Meanwhile, system administrators can maintain the EVM
system online. Therefore, the system typically includes the following
three user roles: (1) Owner, (2) Engineer, and (3) Administrator. The
UML Use Case diagram shown in Fig. 11 displays the described system
functions for individual user status.
604 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607

Fig. 11. User status.

4.4. System implementation 4.4.2. User information

Having determined the client-side and server-side programming
language, flash graph drawing package, DBMS, and system operating
mechanism, the EVMS can be implemented using the necessary
technologies and approaches. Fig. 12 shows the overall EVMS
infrastructure. The URL of the developed EVMS is http://evm.ct.ntust.
edu.tw. Fig. 13 presents the EVMS login access page, and shows that the
EVMS functions include User Information, Search Project Data, Input
Project Data, Add New Project Data, and System Maintenance.
4.4.1. Login
Before using the EVMS, each user must enter an account and
password. Following logging in to the system, the EVMS displays the
user functions.
Users can click “User Info” to edit their personal data, including
password, real name, department, and contact information.
4.4.3. Search the construction project information
Keywords used in searching include project name, location, start
date and end date, and are expansible. Each search condition can be
used either alone or in combination to query the requested project
information. The search result screen allows users to view project
details and select weekly construction project, enabling the Web-
based system to continuously generate EVM curves and performance
indexes.
4.4.4. Input construction project data
Project management professionals or on-site engineers can input or
update construction project cost and schedule data on a daily or weekly

Fig. 12. EVMS infrastructure.

 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607
Fig. 13. EVMS function hierarchy.
basis. Input is performed via two steps. First, the user must specify a
construction project. Second, the user must input daily or weekly
construction project data, ensuring that data is entered into every
cell. If JavaScript detects an empty cell, the user receives a pop-up
reminder to fill that cell. The user then clicks the “Calculate” button
to automatically compute the numerical performance measures with
embedded mathematical functions. Finally, the user clicks the “Input
Project Data” button to save the data to the database. Following step
2, the EVMS displays an “Input successfully” message, after which the
user can click “Generate EVM Graph” to plot a real-time EVM graph
on screen.
4.4.5. Add a new construction project
The add function allows users to add a new construction project to
the EVMS. First, the user inputs project attributes such as name,
location, budget, start date, and completion date. Next, the EVMS
automatically calculates the number of weeks required for project
completion, and the user inputs a planned weekly budget value for
the work items. Once again, a JavaScript pop-up dialogue prompts
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users to fill all cells. After step 2, the EVMS displays an “Added
successfully” message to confirm the successful loading of the new
construction project.
4.4.6. System maintenance
System administrators must periodically maintain user and
department profiles on the EVMS. Administrators can use the user/
department management function to add, edit, disable/enable, and
delete system users.
4.5. System validation and case study
This study demonstrates system functionalities using the exam-
ple of a typical bridge construction project from the Taiwan Public
Construction Commission database. Specifically, the selected case
study is the JieShou Bridge renovation construction project, located
in Rueifang, Taipei County, Taiwan. This project includes six
principal work items and has an expected completion time of
10 weeks. Fig. 14 illustrates the key steps, as described above,
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Fig. 14. System validation via a case study.

involved in entering this project into the constructed Web-based tion (Fig. 14(b)). The system then calculates base EVM values,
EVMS. A user must first create a new construction project and input including AC, EV, CV, CPI, BAC, and EAC (Fig. 14(c)). Finally, the
the work items, schedule, and budget (Fig. 14(a)); next, the user system automatically generates a graph of PV, AC, EV, and EAC
must input weekly project data, including AC and percent comple- showing the project status in week six (Fig. 14(d)).
 J.-S. Chou et al. / Automation in Construction 19 (2010) 596–607
5. Implementation issues and conclusions
This study details the preliminary EVMS setup using modern
information technology. The developed EVMS streamlines data
storage and seamlessly integrates project scope, time, and cost data.
The prototype system graphs project progress in terms of EVM
metrics and presents it on the Web in real-time for access by project
managers. Moreover, the proposed system offers construction
personnel a simple and flexible visual means of tracking, modifying,
and updating time and cost -based data that allows the input of
project scope and quality descriptions during execution.
The EVMS is developed using open source programming and flash
graph drawing software integrated with MS SQL Server and Web
technologies. Notably, besides the straightforward decision regarding
free OSS adoption, the priorities of database development software
are determined using the innovative probabilistic MCDM process with
the application of MCS-AHP. The implementation of this EVMS
emphasizes the need for improved project estimation and control
techniques. To maximize system efficiency, controllers and users must
standardize their definitions and working methods, since non-
standard definitions and work methods can create conflicts during
data entry if computers do not recognize them.
Several project-related issues and limitations must be noted since
they have the potential to affect practical system implementation.
Measuring and coordinating information flow can be challenging
because of the input data generally being appraised by professionals
based on their personal experience and judgment. Completed work is
not paid for until owners are satisfied, which requires subjective
verification if cutting-edge technologies (such as, remote sensing
technology) are employed for automatic data acquisition without
confirmation by on-site engineers. Second, services that are intangible
and embedded in other work items should be grouped separately, to
avoid the EVMS artificially inflating subjective measures in situations
where it is unable to differentiate them.
Furthermore, frequent changes to project scope or design may
complicate system automation, making additional IT mechanisms
necessary to differentiate approved and unapproved changes.
Communicating approved and unapproved information within the
system poses another challenge for real-time system controllers.
Finally, a construction project bid is frequently itemized, typically in
CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) Master format (or in other
formats, depending on client). The consistency of data structure in the
system requires further attention since not all contractors and clients
use the same grouping system. Future investigations can focus on the
above issues and thus establish a full-scale system to examine ways of
overcoming these limitations as well as applying the EVMS architec-
ture to various industries.
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