Construction S-curve
Spread the construction budget by month using an S-curve pattern, with a disbursement table
Read with Real Estate Project Strategic Financial Management Handbook: A Practical Guide · Part 5
The figures entered are hypothetical examples. Every field can be edited.
Peak monthly disbursement–
| Month of peak disbursement | – |
|---|---|
| Month cumulative disbursement reaches 50% | – |
| Monthly average | – |
| Consolidated | – |
Blue bars: monthly disbursement. Gold line: cumulative total as % of budget.
| Month | Disbursement | Cumulative | Cumulative % |
|---|
Results are calculations for learning purposes only. The figures entered are hypothetical examples, not real project data, and are not investment advice.
How to use
- Enter the total construction budget and the number of months
- Choose the disbursement pattern closest to the contractor's programme
- Use the monthly table to support cash flow planning and loan drawdowns
Assumptions and limitations
- Cumulative amount at month m = budget × f(m ÷ N), where N is the number of months
- Standard S-curve f(x) = 3x² − 2x³ and steep S-curve f(x) = 6x⁵ − 15x⁴ + 10x³
- Front-loaded disbursement uses f(x0.7) and back-loaded disbursement uses f(x1.4), based on the standard S-curve
- These are general patterns. They do not replace the programme, BOQ, progress payments or retention of an actual project.
The results are only an illustrative calculation. Use the actual programme and progress payments when preparing the project's cash flow budget.