Good morning! 

Last week, I had the opportunity to join a dynamic conversation on how AI is changing the landscape of digital and professional services. From automation to client engagement, the potential is massive — and tools like n8n are leading the way in streamlining workflows through smart automation. Join the community and learn more

— Lucas Robinson, Founder & CEO at BudgetMailboxes.com

🎯 This Week’s Strategy:

• Earned Value Management (EVM)

🛠️ Boardroom Brief:

• New Construction Stumbles in March as Builders Face Tariff Turbulence
  

Strategy

🎯 Earned Value Management (EVM)

In a fast-moving and cost-sensitive industry like construction, real-time control over project performance is no longer optional—it’s essential. That’s where Earned Value Management (EVM) comes in.

EVM is a project management technique that goes beyond tracking budgets and timelines separately. It integrates scope, schedule, and cost to provide a precise snapshot of how your project is performing and, more importantly, where it’s headed. With EVM, builders and developers can identify cost overruns or schedule delays before they become unmanageable, allowing for proactive decision-making and resource allocation.

Why EVM is a Game-Changer for Builders and Developers

EVM helps you answer three vital questions:

• Are we on budget?

• Are we on schedule?

• Are we getting value for the money and time we’ve spent?

By translating these into quantitative performance indicators like Cost Performance Index (CPI) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI), EVM gives you early warnings to pivot strategies, reduce waste, and hit targets consistently.

How to Implement Earned Value Management in Your Projects

✅ Define a Detailed Scope and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Start with a clearly structured breakdown of the entire project into manageable components. EVM relies on this hierarchy to assign value and track progress effectively.

✅ Establish the Planned Value (PV)
Assign a budget and timeline to each WBS element. This gives you your baseline—what should be done, by when, and for how much.

✅ Track Earned Value (EV) and Actual Cost (AC)
As work progresses, measure how much value has actually been earned (EV) against how much has been spent (AC). This data is critical for your performance metrics.

✅ Use CPI and SPI to Forecast and Course-Correct

• CPI = EV / AC – Reveals cost efficiency.

• SPI = EV / PV – Reveals schedule efficiency.
  Values less than 1 indicate issues; higher values show you're ahead.

✅ Implement EVM Software Tools
Use project management tools like Procore, Primavera P6, or Microsoft Project that support EVM calculations to automate tracking and visualization.

Why It Matters

Construction delays and budget blowouts are often the result of late detection. EVM flips the script by giving you predictive insight, not just retrospective data. It empowers developers to act with confidence, reduce financial risk, and stay aligned with delivery milestones—critical for securing investor trust and client satisfaction.

With EVM, you don’t just manage your projects—you command them.

Now is the time to elevate your project controls and future-proof your builds with smart, data-backed strategies.

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The Community for Next-Gen Operators

Boardroom Brief

New Construction Stumbles in March as Builders Face Tariff Turbulence

In March, U.S. homebuilders pulled 1.6% more permits compared to February—reaching an annualized rate of 1.48 million—while housing starts dropped 11.4% to 1.32 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This mixed performance reflects industry hesitation as builders face mounting uncertainty over newly proposed import tariffs, which are expected to raise the cost of construction materials by more than $3 billion. With elevated mortgage rates already straining affordability, the added burden of tariffs on metals and lumber could inflate home prices by $9,000 or more. Despite these challenges, single-family permits held steady, suggesting cautious optimism in long-term demand. However, builders remain wary, citing labor shortages, limited land availability, and volatile material costs—all intensified by economic unpredictability and signals from the Federal Reserve that inflationary pressures from tariffs may prolong high interest rates into the second half of 2025.

Game

🎉 Fun Finale: Play & Poll