Cash Flow Curve Component
The Cash Flow Curve component is a specialist chart type pre-configured for the common cost reporting patterns used in project controls: periodic and cumulative views, baseline vs. actual vs. forecast, and multiple scenario comparison. While a Combo Chart can replicate a cash flow curve from scratch, the dedicated component includes built-in presets and a distribution profile calculator that accelerate setup.
Presets
Select a preset in Properties → Preset to apply a recommended series and axis configuration:
| Preset | Series included |
|---|---|
| Periodic | Monthly spend bars only. |
| Cumulative | Cumulative spend line only. |
| Baseline + Actual + Forecast | Three-series S-curve with baseline (line), actual (area), and forecast (line). |
| Inflow – Outflow | Two bar series (positive and negative) plus a net cash flow line. |
| Executive | Single cumulative line with a shaded forecast zone. Minimal visual noise for board reports. |
Data binding
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Period field | The time axis field (monthly, quarterly, or weekly periods). |
| Baseline value | The planned or budget amount per period. |
| Actual value | Actual cost to date per period. |
| Forecast value | Estimate to complete (ETC) per remaining period. Optional. |
| Forecast start | The period from which forecast values begin (typically the data date). |
Cumulative vs. periodic mode
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Periodic | Values shown as the amount in each individual period. |
| Cumulative | Values shown as the running total to the end of each period. |
| Combined | Periodic bars on the primary axis plus a cumulative line on the secondary axis. This is the classic S-curve view. |
Set the mode per series in the series editor.
Distribution profiles
When actual data is sparse for future periods, the distribution profile calculator distributes a total remaining budget across the forecast periods:
| Profile | Description |
|---|---|
| Linear | Evenly spread across periods. |
| S-curve | Slow start, peak in the middle, tapering to the end. |
| Front-loaded | Higher spend in earlier periods. |
| Back-loaded | Higher spend in later periods. |
| Custom | Define a manual weighting percentage per period. |
Distribution profiles apply to the Forecast series only.
Multiple scenarios
The component supports up to four scenario layers on the same chart:
- In Properties → Scenarios, add a scenario.
- Bind each scenario to a separate data column or data section.
- Each scenario renders with its own series style (line, area, or bar) and color.
Scenarios are labeled in the legend with configurable names (e.g., "Revised Budget", "Risk-adjusted Forecast").
Variance mode
Enable variance mode to add a variance ribbon between two series:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Series A | The reference series (e.g., baseline). |
| Series B | The comparison series (e.g., actual or forecast). |
| Ribbon color | Color when Series B is below Series A vs. above. |
| Variance label | Show the variance value at each period. |
Axis and display options
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Value axis format | Number, currency with symbol, or abbreviated (K/M). |
| Period axis labels | Month name, year-month, or custom format string. |
| Data date line | Vertical line at the status date separating actual and forecast periods. |
| Today line | Vertical line at today's date. |
| Assumptions box | Free-text area below the chart for qualifications. |
Good practice
- Always label whether values are periodic or cumulative. Mixing unlabelled axes is a common source of misinterpretation.
- Show the data date line when combining actual and forecast to make the boundary explicit.
- Use the Executive preset for board-level reports and the Baseline + Actual + Forecast preset for project status reports.
Related
- Combo Chart — flexible bar/line combinations
- Earned Value — PV/EV/AC-specific component
- Waterfall — budget bridge and variance breakdown