What is a primary benefit of using earned value management (EVM)?

The primary benefit of using earned value management (EVM) is its ability to integrate project scope, schedule, and cost to assess performance. EVM provides a powerful framework that allows project managers to quantitatively measure progress by comparing the planned work with the actual work performed and the costs incurred. This integration helps in identifying variances and trends in project performance, enabling better forecasting of future outcomes.

By linking these three critical elements—scope, time, and cost—EVM equips project teams with a comprehensive view of the project's health. It allows for effective decision-making by highlighting whether a project is on track, ahead, or behind schedule in terms of both time and budget. This holistic approach is essential for successful project management, as it provides the necessary insights to take corrective actions if the project deviates from its planned trajectory.

Other choices, while potentially beneficial in their own ways, do not encapsulate the central advantage of EVM as effectively as the integration of these key dimensions for performance assessment.