This document discusses earned value management (EVM) as an effective tool for tracking and controlling construction project costs and schedules. EVM integrates cost, schedule and technical performance by comparing the planned cost of work scheduled to the actual cost of work performed. The document provides background on EVM, including its history and use in various industries. It then discusses how EVM establishes a cost baseline and calculates variances to analyze project performance and identify potential issues needing corrective action in order to complete projects on time and on budget.