How to Calculate Estimate at Completion (EAC) in ClickUp
Project managers who rely on ClickUp need a clear, repeatable way to calculate Estimate at Completion (EAC) so they can forecast total project cost and keep budgets on track.
This step-by-step guide breaks down the core EAC formulas from earned value management and shows how to apply them in your workspace to monitor cost performance and adjust your plan before overruns become critical.
What Is Estimate at Completion (EAC)?
Estimate at Completion is a forecasting metric that predicts the total cost of a project at completion based on current performance. It combines what you originally planned to spend with what you are actually spending now.
EAC helps you answer questions like:
- Are we on track to finish under or over budget?
- How much will the project cost if current trends continue?
- What happens to the total cost if performance improves?
To calculate EAC correctly, you need a few core earned value management (EVM) concepts.
Key Earned Value Terms to Use in ClickUp
Before you create any formulas or dashboards in ClickUp, make sure you understand these essential cost metrics:
- Planned Value (PV): The budgeted cost of work scheduled up to a specific date.
- Earned Value (EV): The budgeted cost of work actually completed by that date.
- Actual Cost (AC): The real cost incurred for the work performed.
- Budget at Completion (BAC): The original total approved budget for the project.
- Cost Performance Index (CPI): A ratio that shows cost efficiency, calculated as EV ÷ AC.
These values can be tracked using time estimates, cost fields, or custom numeric fields inside your ClickUp tasks and project views.
Core EAC Formula for Most ClickUp Projects
The most common Estimate at Completion formula assumes your current cost efficiency will continue for the rest of the project:
EAC = BAC ÷ CPI
Where:
- BAC is your total project budget.
- CPI is EV ÷ AC.
Use this formula when:
- Your initial estimate may have been inaccurate.
- Current cost performance is expected to remain similar.
- You want a quick way to see if the project will finish over or under the original budget.
Example of the CPI-Based EAC
Imagine a project with:
- BAC = $100,000
- EV = $40,000
- AC = $50,000
First, calculate CPI:
CPI = EV ÷ AC = 40,000 ÷ 50,000 = 0.8
Then calculate EAC:
EAC = BAC ÷ CPI = 100,000 ÷ 0.8 = $125,000
This tells you that if cost performance does not improve, you can expect to finish the project at $125,000 instead of the original $100,000 budget.
Alternative EAC Formulas You Can Model in ClickUp
Not every project behaves the same way, so you may want to use different EAC formulas depending on the situation.
1. EAC When Original Estimate Still Applies
If the remaining work is expected to follow your original plan and current cost issues are not typical, use:
EAC = AC + (BAC − EV)
Use this when:
- Early cost variances were one-time events.
- The remaining work will likely match the original estimate.
2. EAC When Current Cost Trend Continues
If past performance issues are likely to continue, use a more conservative formula:
EAC = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ CPI
This assumes the same cost efficiency trend will persist to the end of the project.
3. EAC When Both Cost and Schedule Affect Performance
For complex projects where both cost and schedule are impacting performance, you can use:
EAC = AC + (BAC − EV) ÷ (CPI × SPI)
Where SPI is the Schedule Performance Index (EV ÷ PV). This version makes sense when both time and cost inefficiencies are driving overruns.
Step-by-Step: Calculating EAC in ClickUp
You can implement EAC tracking directly in your workspace using fields and formulas. Follow these steps to create a simple, repeatable setup.
Step 1: Define Your Budget at Completion (BAC)
- Open your project space or folder in ClickUp.
- Create a custom numeric field called Project Budget (BAC) at the project or list level.
- Enter the approved total budget for each project or list.
This gives you a clear BAC value to use in your EAC formulas.
Step 2: Track Planned, Earned, and Actual Costs
Next, make sure you can capture PV, EV, and AC consistently across tasks or milestones.
- Create custom fields such as:
- Planned Cost (PV)
- Earned Value (EV)
- Actual Cost (AC)
- Update these fields regularly as work is scheduled and completed.
- Use task statuses and time tracking to help validate progress and earned value.
With these values in place, you are ready to calculate performance indices.
Step 3: Calculate CPI (and SPI if Needed)
- Add a formula field in ClickUp called CPI.
- Set the formula to EV ÷ AC.
- If schedule performance is important, add another formula field called SPI with the formula EV ÷ PV.
These indices will update automatically as task data changes.
Step 4: Create an EAC Formula Field in ClickUp
Now, build your Estimate at Completion calculation using the method that fits your project.
For the most common case (EAC = BAC ÷ CPI):
- Create a formula field named EAC (Forecast Cost).
- In the formula editor, reference your BAC and CPI fields in the expression BAC ÷ CPI.
- Format the result as currency for quick visual review in list or dashboard views.
If you need an alternative formula, adjust the expression to match one of the other EAC options described earlier.
Step 5: Build a ClickUp Dashboard for EAC Monitoring
To keep your Estimate at Completion visible and actionable:
- Create a new dashboard in ClickUp dedicated to cost control.
- Add widgets such as:
- Table or list widgets showing BAC, EV, AC, CPI, and EAC by project.
- Chart widgets visualizing EAC trends over time.
- Number widgets summarizing total BAC and total EAC for your portfolio.
- Filter by space, folder, or project owner to focus on key initiatives.
With this view, you can quickly compare original budgets to forecasted costs and act early when EAC begins to rise.
Using ClickUp EAC Insights to Improve Projects
Once your Estimate at Completion is visible in ClickUp, use it as a decision-making tool, not just a report.
- Investigate cost variances: When EAC exceeds BAC, review tasks or phases with low CPI.
- Re-scope or re-sequence work: Adjust scope or delivery order to bring performance back on track.
- Refine future estimates: Use historical EAC vs. BAC data to improve estimation for upcoming projects.
- Communicate proactively: Share EAC forecasts with stakeholders to align expectations early.
Additional Resources on EAC and ClickUp
You can find a detailed breakdown of Estimate at Completion formulas, examples, and best practices in the original guide here: How to Calculate EAC.
For broader project management optimization and workspace strategy, you may also explore expert implementation resources at Consultevo.
By combining accurate EAC formulas with structured tracking and reporting in ClickUp, you gain reliable cost forecasts that help you deliver projects on time and within budget.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
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