How to read an S-curve in 5 minutes
The S-curve is the one chart that tells you if a project is ahead or behind at a glance. Here is how to read it.
What the curve actually shows
An S-curve plots cumulative progress over time. It starts slow, climbs steeply through the main build, then flattens near handover — the classic "S" shape. Plot your plan as one line and your actual progress as a second.
Plan line vs actual line
If the actual line sits below the plan line, you are behind; above, you are ahead. The vertical gap between them at today is your schedule variance — in plain percent, no interpretation needed.
Why it beats a status meeting
A number in a meeting is easy to spin. A curve is not. One look tells the owner, the foreman, and you the same story — and because SiteBoard builds it from the updates your crew already logs, it is always current.
Bring your next project on schedule
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