Earned Value Management (EVM) is a project management method commonly used in the construction industry to assess project progress and performance. However, EVM is not typically used to evaluate the embodied carbon impact of a construction project. Embodied carbon is the carbon dioxide emitted throughout the entire life cycle of a building, including the materials used, transportation, and construction processes. Incorporating EVM into embodied carbon assessment can provide project managers with valuable insights into the environmental impact of their projects.
To use EVM to assess embodied carbon impact, project managers must establish a baseline for carbon emissions and a target for carbon reduction. The baseline can be determined by calculating the embodied carbon impact of the project based on materials, transportation, and construction processes. The target can be set based on industry standards, regulations, or sustainability goals.
By monitoring the budgeted cost of work scheduled (BCWS), actual cost of work performed (ACWP), and value of work performed (BCWP), project managers can track the project's carbon emissions over time. In the context of embodied carbon assessment, the BCWS represents the estimated carbon emissions at the beginning of the project, the ACWP represents the actual carbon emissions incurred during the project, and the BCWP represents the target carbon emissions.
Comparing the BCWS, ACWP, and BCWP can provide project managers with insights into whether the project is meeting its carbon reduction targets. Project managers can also identify areas where the project is exceeding or falling short of its goals and take corrective action. For example, if actual carbon emissions are higher than expected, project managers can investigate the cause and implement measures to reduce emissions.
Using EVM to assess embodied carbon impact can also have benefits beyond environmental sustainability. A study by Orabi et al. (2020) found that the use of EVM can improve project performance, increase stakeholder satisfaction, and reduce project risk. Another study by Huang et al. (2021) showed that incorporating embodied carbon assessment into project management can reduce environmental impact, improve project performance, and increase stakeholder value.
In conclusion, incorporating EVM into embodied carbon assessment can provide valuable insights into the environmental impact of construction projects. By establishing a baseline, setting a target, and monitoring progress over time, project managers can identify areas for improvement and take corrective action to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, the use of EVM can lead to improved project performance, stakeholder satisfaction, and reduced risk, making it a valuable tool for sustainable construction projects.
References:
Huang, Q., Wang, H., & Zhang, X. (2021). Embodied carbon assessment and reduction of construction projects: An integrated project management approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 280, 124293.
Orabi, M., Hassan, T. M., Zayed, T., & Hossny, M. R. (2020). The impact of earned value management (EVM) on construction project performance. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 25(2), 89-104.
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