The data date (DD) is the point in time at which the status of a project is recorded. It is also called the as-of date or status date. Work to the left of the data date is reported as actual; work to the right is still planned or forecast.
How it works in practice
Every progress update fixes a data date. It is the reference line for schedule updates and for earned value management: actual cost and earned value are measured up to the data date, and the remaining work is re-forecast from it. In scheduling tools the data date is drawn as a vertical line across the Gantt chart.
PMBOK Guide 8 context
The 8th edition places status measurement in the Measurement performance domain. A consistent data date across cost and schedule reporting is what makes performance indices such as SPI and CPI comparable from period to period.
Frequently asked questions
What else is the data date called? The as-of date or status date; all three mean the same reference point.
Why does the data date matter for earned value? Because earned value, planned value, and actual cost must all be measured to the same moment, or the resulting indices are meaningless.
By Tom, PMP-certified since 2004. Last updated: July 2026.