Budget vs Actual Spending — Free Grouped Bar Chart Template
This Budget vs Actual Spending template uses a grouped bar chart to place planned costs side-by-side with what was actually spent across each phase of a project. The sample data walks through Planning, Design, Development, Testing, and Launch—where Development dominates at 80 while Planning and Launch stay small—so you can instantly spot where budgets overran or came in under. It's a ready-made starting point for cost reviews, status decks, and end-of-project retrospectives.
Open This Template in the EditorAbout This Grouped Bar Chart Template
This Budget vs Actual Spending template uses a grouped bar chart to place planned costs side-by-side with what was actually spent across each phase of a project. The sample data walks through Planning, Design, Development, Testing, and Launch—where Development dominates at 80 while Planning and Launch stay small—so you can instantly spot where budgets overran or came in under. It's a ready-made starting point for cost reviews, status decks, and end-of-project retrospectives.
It's a ready-made Grouped Bar Chart you can open and edit in seconds — replace the sample numbers with your own, restyle it, and download a publication-ready image, all free and in your browser.
Template Data
This template ships with the sample data below. Open it in the editor to swap in your own figures:
| Phase | Budget | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | 10 | 12 |
| Design | 25 | 22 |
| Development | 80 | 95 |
| Testing | 30 | 35 |
| Launch | 15 | 18 |
When to Use This Template
- Project managers presenting phase-by-phase cost variance in a sprint review or steering meeting
- Finance and operations teams tracking how actual project spend lines up against the approved budget
- Freelancers and agencies showing clients planned vs final costs across Planning, Design, Development, Testing, and Launch
How to Use It
- Open the template — click "Open This Template in the Editor" to load it with its sample data.
- Edit the data — type your own labels and values, or paste a column straight from a spreadsheet.
- Customize & export — pick colors, add a title, then download as PNG, SVG, or PDF. No signup, no watermark.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace the sample phases and spending numbers with my own?
Yes. Click "Open in editor" and you can rename the phases, add or remove rows, and type in your own planned and actual figures. The grouped bars update live as you edit—no signup or download required.
Is this template free, and how do I export the finished chart?
It's completely free with no account needed. Once you've customized the data and colors, export the chart as a PNG, SVG, or PDF straight from your browser to drop into slides, reports, or print.
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