What does a schedule variance indicate in project management?

A schedule variance is a key performance metric in project management that highlights the difference between what was planned in terms of progress and what has actually been accomplished at a given point in time. When a project manager calculates schedule variance, they are assessing whether the project is ahead of or behind the agreed-upon timeline.

This measure is calculated by subtracting the planned progress (often expressed in terms of earned value) from the actual progress. A positive schedule variance indicates that the project is ahead of schedule, while a negative variance indicates a delay. By understanding this, project managers can make informed decisions to adjust timelines, resources, or strategies to bring the project back on track if needed.

The other options, while related to project management, do not specifically capture the essence of what schedule variance represents. For instance, actual resource usage relates to how much of the budget or resources have been consumed but does not directly address timing. Estimated completion delays may arise from schedule variance, but they do not measure the variance itself. Task dependency issues concern the relationships between tasks and how they impact the overall schedule, but they do not quantify the difference between planned and actual progress. Therefore, the correct choice accurately reflects the fundamental role of schedule variance in managing project timelines effectively.