In this episode, I talk with Lynnville Browning, PE, PMP, project management technical director at Henderson Engineers, about how shifting from tracking hours to tracking outcomes transforms AEC project performance and empowers teams. We discuss how earned value management improves forecasting and accountability, and why a strong data structure and trusted relationships are essential for success.
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Lynnville Browning, PE, PMP:
- What led you to start using earned value management (EVM) in your projects?
- In what ways do the schedule performance index (SPI) and cost performance index (CPI) help project managers monitor progress and performance?
- How have you made EVM easier for project managers to use without adding extra work?
- How does shifting from tracking hours to tracking tasks affect how your teams operate?
- Can you explain how automation and data are enhancing the usefulness and reliability of earned value management?
- What have you learned about setting up a project management office (PMO) that truly supports your teams?
- Why is leadership support critical when implementing a PMO or rolling out a new earned value management system?
- What’s one important skill project managers often overlook when it comes to building strong relationships and leading teams?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How Earned Value Management Is Transforming AEC Project Performance:
- Earned value management (EVM) becomes a key focus after a company-wide shift to employee ownership introduces new audit requirements. This creates an opportunity to explore EVM as a practical way to improve forecasting, accountability, and AEC project performance.
- The schedule performance index (SPI) measures how well a project stays on schedule by comparing planned progress to earned progress, while the cost performance index (CPI) tracks budget efficiency by showing how much value is gained for every dollar spent, helping project managers respond quickly to performance issues.
- EVM in construction is integrated into existing workflows by tying earned value to task completion, which eliminates the need for subjective reporting. This approach enables teams to track progress automatically while staying focused on delivery.
- Shifting from tracking hours to tracking tasks moves the focus to outcome-based project management and accountability. Teams gain clarity on expectations and can measure progress more accurately throughout each phase.
- Automation connects earned value management tracking with project plans, billing structures, and historical data. This makes EVM easier to apply and ensures consistent, real-time visibility into project health.
- An effective project management office (PMO) supports project managers while allowing business units to maintain ownership of their work. It delivers standards, tools, and training that enhance delivery without introducing unnecessary control.
- Executive support ensures the time, resources, and alignment needed to implement systems like earned value management or a PMO across departments. It also builds confidence in the process and helps maintain momentum during change.
- Project managers often overlook the impact of consistent, respectful communication across all roles and teams. Strong relationships build trust, lead to repeat business, and strengthen internal engagement.
More Details in This Episode…
About Lynnville Browning, PE, PMP
Lynnville Browning is the Project Management Technical Director at Henderson Engineers, where he leads firm-wide operations and strategy with a people-first mindset. Lynn originally stepped into a project management role to fill a need and never looked back. Today, he oversees enterprise-level project management operations, tools, and training that focuses on developing scalable building systems, talent development, and aligning data with business outcomes. Known for his clear communication and problem-solving skills, Lynn is a trusted partner when it comes to aligning diverse teams and carefully navigating complexity with empathy. His leadership helps create environments where both project teams and clients can reach their full potential.
Sources/References:
Henderson Engineers
Kansas State University
Earned Value Management (EVM)
Revit
Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Microsoft Excel
Connect with Lynnville Browning, PE, PMP, on LinkedIn
AEC PM Certification
AEC PM Connect
Project Management Accelerator™
Engineering Leadership Accelerator™
Keynote Speaking
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