How to Use an S-Curve in Project Management

如何在项目管理中使用S曲线

Projects reach a successful completion by planning, but a plan alone isn’t enough to deliver on time and within budget. Costs, resources and performance must be tracked to ensure the actual effort aligns with the project plan. An S-curve is one tool that can help do that.

项目的成功完成要靠计划，但单靠计划是不足以按时在预算范围内交付的。必须跟踪成本、资源和性能，以确保实际工作与项目计划保持一致。s曲线是一个可以帮助我们做到这一点的工具。

To understand why, let’s first define an S-curve graph in project management. Then we’ll explain why it’s used and how to make one. To save readers time, we’ll also link to a free downloadable S-curve template for Excel, followed by an example to show how it’s used in real-life projects.

为了理解其中的原因，让我们首先定义项目管理中的s曲线。然后我们将解释为什么使用它以及如何制作它。为了节省读者的时间，我们还将链接到一个免费下载的Excel s曲线模板，然后通过一个示例来展示如何在实际项目中使用它。

What Is an S-Curve?

什么是S曲线？

An S-curve is a graphical representation of a project’s progress over time, typically used in project management to track costs, resources or work performance. The curve gets its name from its S-like shape, which reflects the natural lifecycle of a project—starting slow, accelerating in the middle and tapering off as the project nears completion.

s曲线是项目随时间进展的图形表示，通常用于项目管理，以跟踪成本、资源或工作绩效。曲线因其s形形状而得名，反映了项目的自然生命周期——开始缓慢，中间加速，接近完工时逐渐减少。

S-curves are commonly used for performance analysis, forecasting and resource management. They help project managers compare actual progress against planned progress, identify deviations and make data-driven decisions to keep the project on track.

S曲线通常用于性能分析、预测和资源管理。它们帮助项目经理将实际进度与计划进度进行比较，识别偏差并做出数据驱动的决策，以保持项目正常运行。

While an S-curve is useful for tracking progress, scheduling that work requires project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with robust Gantt charts to schedule and forecast project tasks, resources and costs. To ensure the project progresses as planned, link all four types of task dependencies, filter for the critical path and set a baseline set to track the project in real time. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

虽然s曲线对于跟踪进度很有用，但是计划工作需要项目管理软件。ProjectManager是一个屡获殊荣的项目和投资组合管理软件，具有强大的甘特图来安排和预测项目任务，资源和成本。为了确保项目按计划进行，链接所有四种类型的任务依赖关系，过滤关键路径并设置基线集以实时跟踪项目。着手开始免费使用ProjectManager。

Why Use an S-Curve in Project Management?

为什么在项目管理中使用S曲线？

An S-curve is a valuable tool in project management for monitoring and analyzing a project’s progress, resource allocation, costs and risks over time. By visually representing project performance, it helps teams make informed decisions, stay on schedule and ensure resources are used efficiently. Below are key reasons to use an S-curve in project management.

在项目管理中，S曲线是一个有价值的工具，用于监控和分析项目的进度、资源分配、成本和风险。通过直观地展示项目绩效，它可以帮助团队做出明智的决策，保持进度并确保资源得到有效利用。以下是在项目管理中使用S曲线的主要原因。

Progress Tracking: The S-curve allows project managers to track progress over time by plotting actual work completed against the planned schedule. The horizontal (X-axis) of the graph represents time, while the vertical (Y-axis) represents key metrics such as cost, work hours or tasks completed. This helps teams identify delays or deviations from the original project plan.

进度跟踪：S曲线允许项目经理通过根据计划进度绘制实际完成的工作来跟踪进度。图表的横轴（X轴）代表时间，纵轴（Y轴）代表关键指标，如成本、工作时间或完成的任务。这有助于团队识别延迟或偏离原始项目计划的情况。

Resource Management: By analyzing an S-curve, project managers can assess whether resources—such as labor, materials and equipment—are being allocated efficiently. If the curve shows a steep incline, it may indicate a high demand for resources, helping teams anticipate and manage workload distribution more effectively.

资源管理：通过分析S曲线，项目经理可以评估资源（如劳动力、材料和设备）是否得到有效分配。如果曲线显示出陡峭的斜率，则可能表明对资源的高需求，帮助团队更有效地预测和管理工作负载分配。

Cost Control: S-curves help track project expenditures over time, allowing managers to compare planned vs. actual costs. By monitoring cost trends, teams can detect budget overruns early and take corrective action before financial risks escalate. This ensures the project remains financially viable.

成本控制：S曲线有助于跟踪项目支出随时间的变化，使管理人员能够比较计划成本与实际成本。通过监控成本趋势，团队可以及早发现预算超支，并在财务风险升级之前采取纠正措施。确保项目在财务上的可行。

Schedule Management: An S-curve graph provides insights into whether a project is on schedule, ahead or falling behind. If the actual progress curve lags behind the planned curve, it signals delays, prompting the need for schedule adjustments. This visibility helps teams stay aligned with deadlines and project milestones.

进度管理：s曲线图提供了对项目是否按计划、提前或落后的洞察。如果实际的进度曲线落后于计划的曲线，它就意味着延迟，从而促使需要进行进度调整。这种可见性有助于团队与截止日期和项目里程碑保持同步。

Risk Management: By comparing planned and actual performance, S-curves help identify potential risks, such as unexpected slowdowns in work progress or resource shortages. Early detection of these risks enables project teams to implement mitigation strategies, reducing the likelihood of major disruptions.

风险管理：通过比较计划和实际绩效，S曲线有助于识别潜在风险，例如工作进度意外放缓或资源短缺。及早发现这些风险使项目团队能够实施缓解战略，减少重大中断的可能性。

How to Make an S-Curve Graph

如何制作S曲线图

An S-curve graph is a powerful tool in project management for tracking progress, costs or other key performance metrics over time. It visually represents the natural growth of a project, starting slow, accelerating in the middle and leveling off toward completion. Below are the key steps to create an S-curve graph.

S曲线图是项目管理中的一个强大工具，用于跟踪进度、成本或其他关键性能指标。它在视觉上代表了一个项目的自然增长，开始缓慢，在中间加速，并在完成时趋于平稳。下面是创建S曲线图的关键步骤。

1. Establish a Timeline for the S-Curve

1.建立S曲线的时间轴

The first step is to define the project timeline, which will be plotted on the horizontal (X-axis) of the graph. This timeline should cover the entire project duration, from initiation to completion, with specific milestones or phases marked along the way. A well-defined timeline ensures accurate tracking and analysis of project performance.

第一步是定义项目时间轴，它将被绘制在图表的水平（X轴）上。该时间轴应涵盖从启动到完成的整个项目持续时间，并在此过程中标记具体的里程碑或阶段。明确的时间轴可确保准确跟踪和分析项目绩效。

2. Determine What Project Area Will Be Measured

2.确定将测量的项目区域

Next, decide what key metric the S-curve will track. It could measure progress (tasks completed), costs (budget spent), resource allocation or other performance indicators. This data will be represented on the vertical (Y-axis) of the graph. Choosing the right metric ensures the S-curve provides valuable insights for monitoring and decision-making.

接下来，决定S曲线将跟踪的关键指标。它可以衡量进度（完成的任务）、成本（预算支出）、资源分配或其他业绩指标。该数据将在图表的垂直方向（Y轴）上显示。选择正确的指标可确保S曲线为监控和决策提供有价值的见解。

3. Plot the S-Curve Graph

3.绘制S曲线图

Once the timeline and key metric are defined, plot the S-curve by graphing actual project data against planned data. The curve typically starts with slow progress, then rises steeply as work accelerates, and finally flattens as the project nears completion. Comparing planned vs. actual curves helps identify trends, delays or budget overruns, allowing teams to adjust as needed.

定义了时间轴和关键指标后，通过将实际项目数据与计划数据绘制成图来绘制S曲线。曲线通常以缓慢的进度开始，然后随着工作的加速而急剧上升，最后在项目接近完成时趋于平缓。比较计划与实际曲线有助于确定趋势、延迟或预算超支，允许团队根据需要进行调整。

S-Curve Graph Example

S曲线图示例

Let’s explore a real-life example to understand the practical application of using an s-curve. In the one we’ve sketched below, a construction company is building a bridge for vehicle traffic. Read how using an s-curve graph helps the construction firm keep track of its progress.

让我们探索一个现实生活中的例子来理解使用s曲线的实际应用。在我们下面画的草图中，一家建筑公司正在建造一座车辆通行的桥梁。了解如何使用s曲线帮助建筑公司跟踪其进度。

The infrastructure construction project commenced in January 2025, with an initial one percent actual progress, slightly ahead of the estimated 0 percent. The project steadily gained momentum throughout the early months, closely aligning with the projected timeline. By March 2025, actual progress was at seven percent, slightly trailing the estimated 8 percent, but recovered by April 2025, surpassing projections (12 percent actual vs. 10 percent estimated).

基础设施建设项目于2025年1月开工，初步实际进度为1%，略高于预计的0%。该项目在最初几个月稳步增长，与预计的时间轴保持密切一致。到2025年3月，实际进展为7%，略低于估计的8%，但到2025年4月恢复，超过预测（实际为12%，估计为10%）。

From May to August 2025, the project experienced a strong acceleration phase, with actual progress significantly exceeding estimates. By August 2025, 60 percent of the work was completed, compared to the forecasted 50 percent, indicating an efficient resource allocation and smooth execution.

2025年5月至8月，该项目经历了一个强劲的加速阶段，实际进度大幅超过预期。到2025年8月，60%的工作已经完成，而预测为50%，这表明资源分配有效，执行顺利。

By the end of September 2025, the project had reached 75 percent completion, maintaining a lead over the planned 70 percent. The trend continued into November and December, when the project exceeded estimates (96 percent actual vs. 85 percent estimated in December 2025).

截至2025年9月底，该项目已完成75%，领先计划的70%。这一趋势持续到11月和12月，当时项目超过了预期（实际为96%，而2025年12月估计为85%）。

As the project entered 2026, the final stages saw a controlled approach, ensuring quality checks and finishing tasks were properly executed. By March 2026, the project was successfully completed at 100 percent, precisely matching the estimated progress.

随着项目进入2026年，最后阶段采用了受控方法，确保质量检查和完工任务得到妥善执行。截至2026年3月，该项目已成功完成100%，与预计进度完全匹配。

S-Curve Template for Excel

Excel的S曲线模板

Pictured above is our free S-curve template for Excel to visualize project progress over time. Download this template to compare planned performance against the actual performance. The s-curve graph helps keep projects on track.

上图是我们免费的Excel S曲线模板，用于随时间推移可视化项目进度。下载此模板以比较计划绩效和实际绩效。曲线图有助于保持项目的正常进行。

Our free template is a fully customizable document. We’ve formatted it with a chart on the left to capture the project timeline and actual and estimated progress. On the right is the c-curve graph, which automatically populates once the graph has been filled out.

我们的免费模板是一个完全可定制的文档。我们在左边用一个图表来格式化它，以捕获项目时间轴以及实际和估计的进度。右边是c曲线图，一旦曲线图被填充，它就会自动填充。

Benefits of Using an S-Curve in Project Management

在项目管理中使用S曲线的好处

Project management professionals wouldn’t use an s-curve if there weren’t ample benefits to the tool. Here are a handful of those advantages.

项目管理专业人士不会使用s曲线，如果没有足够的好处的工具。以下是其中的一些优势。

Helps compare actual project results against projections and estimates

帮助将实际项目结果与预测和估计进行比较

By plotting costs, risks, progress or other key project management areas, an s-curve graph helps identify project variances as they occur

通过绘制成本、风险、进度或其他关键项目管理区域，s曲线图有助于在出现项目差异时识别它们

Can be used as a visual resource to document lessons learned

可用作记录经验教训的视觉资源

Helps set realistic stakeholder expectations by showing the normal progression of projects, which in most cases isn’t depicted by a straight line

通过显示项目的正常进展（在大多数情况下不是用直线表示），帮助设定实际的涉众期望

Allows project management teams to decide when to reallocate resources to get projects back on track

允许项目管理团队决定何时重新分配资源以使项目回到正轨

Disadvantages of Using an S-Curve in Project Management

在项目管理中使用S曲线的缺点

While S-curves help track project progress and performance, they also have limitations. Below are key disadvantages to consider when using an S-curve in project management.

虽然S曲线有助于跟踪项目进度和绩效，但它们也有局限性。以下是在项目管理中使用S曲线时需要考虑的主要缺点。

S-curves rely on historical data and may not accurately reflect sudden changes or disruptions in a project

S曲线依赖于历史数据，可能无法准确反映项目中的突然变化或中断

Analyzing S-curve trends can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar with data visualization techniques

分析S曲线趋势可能具有挑战性，特别是对于那些不熟悉数据可视化技术的人来说

The curve provides an overview of progress but does not break down specific task-level details or bottlenecks

该曲线提供了进度的概述，但没有分解特定的任务级细节或瓶颈

Any errors or inconsistencies in data collection can lead to misleading conclusions and poor decision-making

数据收集中的任何错误或不一致都可能导致错误的结论和糟糕的决策

S-curves work best for long-term projects with measurable trends, making them less useful for short, fast-paced initiatives

S曲线最适合于具有可测量趋势的长期项目，对于短期、快节奏的计划来说，S曲线就不那么有用了

Related Project Management Templates

相关项目管理模板

An s-curve template is only one of the over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that are available for immediate download on our site. They cover all aspects of managing a project across multiple industries. Here are just a few that can help monitor project metrics.

S曲线模板只是我们网站上提供的100多个免费Excel和Word项目管理模板之一。它们涵盖了跨多个行业管理项目的各个方面。下面是一些可以帮助监控项目指标的方法。

Project Dashboard Template

项目仪表板模板

A project dashboard offers a high-level overview of project metrics. This free project dashboard template for Excel is set up to track tasks, workload, costs and more. The colorful graphs and charts help keep projects on track.

项目仪表板提供了项目度量的高级概述。这个免费的Excel项目仪表板模板用于跟踪任务，工作量，成本等。丰富多彩的图形和图表有助于保持项目的轨道上。

Budget Dashboard

预算仪表板

There are also dashboards that are focused on specific metrics, such as cost. Download this free budget dashboard for Excel to view graphs and charts on total costs, planned vs. actual costs, direct material, direct labor, direct equipment and overhead costs.

还有一些仪表板专注于特定的指标，如成本。下载这个免费的Excel预算仪表板，查看有关总成本、计划与实际成本、直接材料、直接人工、直接设备和间接成本的图表。

Task Tracker Dashboard

任务跟踪器仪表板

Use this free task tracker dashboard for Excel to monitor, organize and track the progress of tasks or projects. It provides an overview of all tasks, their status, deadlines, priorities and other important project information.

使用这个免费的Excel任务跟踪仪表板来监控，组织和跟踪任务或项目的进度。它概述了所有任务、其状态、截止日期、优先级和其他重要的项目信息。

Why ProjectManager Is Better Than an S-Curve for Managing Projects

为什么ProjectManager比S曲线更适合管理项目

An S-curve graph or any template is not what a project manager and their team want to plan, manage and track projects. These are static documents that have to be manually updated and are poor collaborative tools. Projects are dynamic and need project management software to provide everyone involved with the features they need to deliver the project successfully. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has Gantt charts to schedule work, kanban boards and task lists to execute it and a calendar view to get a monthly overview of the project.

s曲线图或任何模板都不是项目经理及其团队想要计划、管理和跟踪项目的东西。这些都是静态文档，必须手动更新，是很差的协作工具。项目是动态的，需要项目管理软件为每个参与者提供他们成功交付项目所需的特性。ProjectManager是一个屡获殊荣的项目和投资组合管理软件，它有甘特图来安排工作，看板板和任务列表来执行它，还有一个日历视图来获得项目的月度概述。

Manage Resources and Keep Teams Productive

管理资源并保持团队生产力

Resource management begins on the Gantt chart, where human and nonhuman resources are scheduled. When onboarding teams, project managers can set their availability, which makes it easier to assign tasks to the right person at the right time for the right job. Resource allocation across all projects can be viewed on the color-coded workload chart which makes it easy to see who’s overallocated or underutilized. The team’s workload can then be balanced without having to leave the chart. There’s even a team page that shows daily and weekly team activity, which can be filtered by progress, priority and more.

资源管理从甘特图开始，在甘特图中安排人力和非人力资源。当加入团队时，项目经理可以设置他们的可用性，这使得在正确的时间把合适的工作分配给适合的人变得更加容易。所有项目的资源分配都可以在用颜色编码的工作负载图表上查看，这样可以很容易地看到谁被过度分配或未被充分利用。团队的工作量可以在不离开图表的情况下得到平衡。甚至还有一个团队页面，可以显示每日和每周的团队活动，可以通过进度、优先级等进行过滤。

Monitor Project Metrics on Real-Time Dashboards and Reports

在实时仪表板和报告上监控项目进度

To get a high-level overview of the project’s metrics with a template, you’re going to have to add the data to see the graphs and charts. Our real-time project or portfolio dashboards automatically collect live data from one or multiple projects and display those metrics on time, cost, workload and more without having to set up the tool. Customizable reports go deeper into the details and can be filtered to show specific data points or a more general summary that can then be shared with stakeholders to keep them updated. Even our secure timesheets help by tracking labor costs to keep the project on budget.

要使用模板获得项目指标的高级概述，您必须添加数据以查看图形和图表。我们的实时项目或投资组合仪表板自动收集来自一个或多个项目的实时数据，并显示这些指标的时间，成本，工作量等，而无需设置工具。可自定义的报告更深入地了解细节，可以过滤以显示特定的数据点或更一般的摘要，然后可以与利益相关者共享以保持更新。即使是我们的安全时间表也可以通过跟踪劳动力成本来帮助项目保持预算。

Related Project Management Content

项目管理相关内容

Using an S-curve to help manage projects is only a small slice of the larger project management pie. For those who want to read more, below are a handful of links to recently published articles that go into various aspects of managing a project.

使用S曲线来帮助管理项目只是更大的项目管理蛋糕中的一小部分。对于那些想要阅读更多内容的人，下面是一些最近发表的文章的链接，这些文章涉及管理项目的各个方面。

Best Project Management Charts for Project Planning

最佳项目管理图表项目规划

How to Create a Milestone Chart with Project Management Software

如何使用项目管理软件创建里程碑图

Free Project Templates for Excel and Word

Excel和Word的免费项目模板

Project Controls: A Quick Guide

项目控制：快速指南

22 Project Management Tools & Techniques for Project Managers

22项目管理工具和技术为项目经理

ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

ProjectManager是一款在线项目和投资组合管理软件，无论团队是在办公室还是在现场，它都能将团队联系起来。他们可以共享文件，在任务级别发表评论，并通过电子邮件和应用内通知保持更新。加入安飞士、雀巢和西门子的团队，使用我们的软件交付成功的项目。立即免费开始使用ProjectManager。