---
title: "Variance"
description: "The Variance tab compares planned time vs actual spent time to help you understand how accurate your planning has been."
url: https://support.mosaicapp.com/en/articles/640-variance
collection: "Detailed Articles on Each Navigation"
updated: 2026-09-22
language: en
---

# Variance

The Variance tab compares planned time vs actual spent time to help you understand how accurate your planning has been.

The Variance tab compares **planned time vs actual spent time** to help you evaluate how accurate your planning has been.

It is a key tool for improving future project performance.

\[Add image: Variance report showing planned vs spent differences by phase\]

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## This is the best place to go when you want to:

-   Understand where plans were inaccurate
    
-   Identify overages and underages
    
-   Improve future budgeting and planning
    

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## How to use Variance

### Select a time range

Choose:

-   Weekly
    
-   Monthly
    
-   Custom
    

* * *

### Compare planned vs spent

-   Red = over plan
    
-   Green = under plan
    

* * *

### Analyze patterns

Look for:

-   Consistent overages
    
-   Repeated under-planning
    
-   Opportunities to adjust future estimates
    

* * *

## Best practices

-   Review regularly
    
-   Focus on patterns, not one-offs
    
-   Use insights to improve future planning