A project manager needs to determine the schedule variance (SV).

According to the PMBOK® Guide, the Schedule Variance (SV) is a metric used in Earned Value Management (EVM) to determine how much a project is ahead of or behind its planned schedule at a specific point in time.

The Formula: The calculation for Schedule Variance is:

$$SV = EV - PV$$

(Where $EV$ is Earned Value and $PV$ is Planned Value).

Applying the Data:

Earned Value ($EV$): This is the work actually completed. In this scenario, it is 14 units.

Planned Value ($PV$): This is the work that was scheduled to be completed. In this scenario, it is 23 units.

The Calculation:

$$SV = 14 - 23 = -9$$

Interpreting the Result:

Because the SV is negative (-9), it indicates that the project is behind schedule. Specifically, it has " earned " 9 units less of value than what was originally planned for this date.

If the result were positive, the project would be ahead of schedule. If it were zero, the project would be exactly on schedule.

Analysis of other options:

Option B (37): This is the result of adding the two numbers ($23 + 14$). Addition is not used to find variance.

Option C (9): This is the absolute difference ($23 - 14$) but ignores the mathematical direction. In EVM, the order of the formula is critical; $EV$ must come first. A positive 9 would incorrectly suggest the project is ahead of schedule.

Option D (322): This is the result of multiplying the two numbers ($23 \times 14$). Multiplication is not used in variance calculations.

Per PMI standards, the Schedule Variance (SV) is the mathematical difference between what has been accomplished ($EV$) and what was planned ($PV$), making -9 the only correct answer.