Project planning
Project budget template
Compare planned hours, labor cost and project expenses with actuals in a formula-tested XLSX workbook. The download is available without registration.
Download the project budget template. No account is required.
Compare the plan with recorded delivery costs
Enter planned and actual hours using the same labor-cost basis. Keep project expenses separate from labor so the source of a variance remains visible.
- Planned and actual hours
- Cost-per-hour labor calculations
- Planned and actual project expenses
- Contingency allowance and remaining budget
Review contingency separately
Contingency is a planning allowance, not a recorded expense. Confirm time, expense, invoice and payment source records before using the result for a project decision.
Filled fictional project example
The workbook opens with service-project categories and a 10% contingency assumption. Replace every yellow input with the approved plan and recorded actuals.
| Category | Planned hours | Actual hours | Planned total | Actual total | Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery and planning | 18 | 20 | $2,160.00 | $2,410.00 | ($250.00) |
| Development | 120 | 128 | $14,400.00 | $15,490.00 | ($1,090.00) |
| Launch support | 16 | 12 | $1,820.00 | $1,260.00 | $560.00 |
Definitions and sources
Use these primary references for the accounting and project-management terms used in this template.
Template content and formulas reviewed 2026-10-27.