The Schedule Forecasts template provides a structured framework for predicting future schedule performance based on current progress data. In the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition, schedule forecasts are a key output of the Monitor and Control Schedule process within the Schedule Performance Domain. A reliable schedule forecast template uses earned value metrics like Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) to project whether the project will finish on time, early, or late.

Why You Need a Schedule Forecast Template

Knowing where you stand today is important, but knowing where you are headed is critical. A structured schedule forecast template transforms raw progress data into predictive insights that enable proactive schedule management. By calculating SV and SPI for each major deliverable or phase, project managers can identify schedule trends early and take corrective action before delays become unrecoverable. The schedule forecast template also provides forecast completion dates that account for current performance trends, giving stakeholders realistic expectations about when deliverables will actually be ready — not just when they were originally planned.

Template Sections

This schedule forecast template is an Excel spreadsheet with the following structure:

1. Deliverable / Phase — Major deliverable or project phase being tracked
2. Planned Value (PV) — Budgeted cost of work scheduled
3. Earned Value (EV) — Budgeted cost of work performed
4. Schedule Variance (SV) — EV minus PV, indicating schedule position
5. Schedule Performance Index (SPI) — EV divided by PV, indicating schedule efficiency
6. Planned Completion Date — Original baseline date
7. Forecast Completion Date — Projected date based on current SPI
8. Schedule Health — Auto-determined status (On Track, At Risk, Behind) with conditional formatting
9. Summary Section — Aggregate project-level SPI, overall schedule status, and key observations

PMBOK 8 Features

• SPI Conditional Formatting — Automatic color-coding: green (SPI >= 1.0), yellow (0.9 <= SPI < 1.0), red (SPI < 0.9) for instant schedule health assessment
• Summary Dashboard — Project-level aggregate metrics with overall schedule health indicator for executive reporting
• Forecast Date Calculation — Built-in formulas that project completion dates based on current schedule performance trends
• Schedule Performance Domain Alignment — Metrics and thresholds aligned with PMBOK 8 best practices for schedule control and variance management

Related PMBOK 8 Templates

Complete your schedule management toolkit with these related templates:

• Schedule Management Plan — PMBOK 8
• Schedule Data — PMBOK 8
• Status Report — PMBOK 8

Format: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) | PMBOK Edition: 8th (2025) | Domain: Schedule | Process: Monitor and Control Schedule