Planned value and actual costs, relating to the overall budget is one of the most important factors, if not the most important, in product development. While it would be nice to say money doesn’t matter, and the goal is only to create the best product. That is not the case. Money is the driving factor behind product development and minimizing costs while creating a successful product. Maintaining an accurate view of the estimate spending up to a certain point in the process, actual costs, amount of work scheduled to be completed, and how much work has actually been done is incredibly important not only to stay on track with the timeline for development. But to stay on financial track, ensuring there will be enough money to finish the the development process and get the product to market.