A schedule forecasts template projects the estimated completion date and remaining duration of the project based on current performance data, enabling proactive management of schedule variances before they become unrecoverable. According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), schedule forecasting is a Measurement Performance Domain activity in PMBOK 8 that transforms current performance metrics into future outcome predictions that sponsors and stakeholders can use for decision-making. The schedule forecasts template distinguishes proactive project management from reactive problem response — teams that forecast schedule completion regularly can identify recovery options while schedule slack remains available, rather than discovering unrecoverable delays at milestone reviews. Every project committed to a delivery date should use a schedule forecasts template to maintain continuous visibility into forecast versus baseline completion.

What are Schedule Forecasts?

A schedule forecasts template produces updated estimates of the project's completion date and milestone achievement dates derived from current schedule performance metrics. It uses earned value data (SPI, SV), trend analysis across successive reporting periods, and scenario modeling to predict whether the project will finish on time, early, or late — and quantifies the gap between the forecast completion and the approved baseline completion date. Schedule forecasts are updated at every reporting cycle and trend in one direction or another based on actual delivery performance. In PMBOK 8, the schedule forecasts template complements the schedule data template by adding the predictive dimension — where the schedule data shows current status, the schedule forecasts template shows where the project is headed if current performance continues and what interventions are available to improve the trajectory. This forward-looking perspective is what enables sponsors to make timely decisions rather than reacting to problems after they have caused irreversible impacts.

What's Included in This Schedule Forecasts Template?

• Earned Value Schedule Metrics — Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) calculations by reporting period, with the data and formulas used for each calculation, providing the objective quantitative basis for all schedule forecast projections.
• Forecasted Completion Date (EAC-t) — Estimate at Completion for schedule (EAC-t) calculated using the current SPI applied to remaining duration, presented with a confidence range that reflects the uncertainty in the forecast given the performance trend.
• Schedule Variance Analysis Narrative — Root cause explanation for the current SV and SPI values, identifying which activities, work packages, or risk events are the primary drivers of the schedule variance and what is being done to address the root causes.
• Recovery Scenarios and What-If Analysis — Three to five schedule recovery scenarios (fast-tracking critical path, adding resources, reducing scope) with the estimated impact on forecast completion date, cost implications, and quality or scope trade-offs for each scenario.
• Milestone Forecast Tracker — Side-by-side comparison of baseline versus current forecast dates for all major project milestones, with the variance in working days and a trend indicator showing whether each milestone's forecast is improving or deteriorating.
• Period-over-Period SPI Trend — Chart showing the SPI value at each successive reporting period, enabling visual identification of whether schedule performance is on a sustained improvement or deterioration trend that requires governance attention and executive decision-making.

How to Use This Schedule Forecasts Template (PMBOK 8)

1. Update at each project status reporting cycle — The schedule forecasts template must be updated at every reporting cycle without exception. Stale forecasts create false confidence in project stakeholders and delay the recovery decisions that might prevent schedule overrun.
2. Calculate SPI from earned value data — Use the earned value calculations from the work performance information template as the basis for SPI. Do not estimate SPI subjectively — objective calculation from actual performance data is what makes the forecast credible and defensible.
3. Use the recovery scenario section for corrective action planning — When the forecast shows unacceptable schedule variance, develop the recovery scenarios before the sponsor meeting so concrete recovery options are available for discussion rather than just the problem statement.
4. Present forecasts with a clear recommendation — Do not present the schedule forecasts template as an information-sharing document alone. Include a specific recommendation about which recovery scenario to pursue, the decision deadline, and the consequences of delaying the decision.
5. Track forecast changes over time — Maintain a history of the forecasted completion date at each reporting cycle. The trajectory of forecast changes is as important as the current forecast — a forecast that is consistently improving indicates that corrective actions are working.

When to Create This Document (PMBOK 8)

The schedule forecasts template is first produced during the execution phase after sufficient actual performance data has been collected to calculate meaningful SPI values, typically after the first two to three reporting cycles. In PMBOK 8, schedule forecasting is a recurring Measurement Performance Domain activity that continues until project completion or until approved scope changes reset the schedule baseline. The final schedule forecast at project closure becomes part of the lessons learned documentation on estimating and scheduling accuracy.

Related Templates

• Schedule Data Template
• Work Performance Information Template
• Status Report Template
• Schedule Management Plan Template
• Change Request Template

Complete Guide & Filled-In Example

Get the most out of this template with the two companion resources below:

• Schedule Forecasts in PMBOK 8 — Complete Guide — Understand the purpose, key elements, and best practices before filling in the template.
• Download the Filled-In Example — Project Phoenix — See exactly how this document was completed for a real $72K website launch project.