Blueprint vs. Plan — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Blueprint" typically refers to a detailed technical drawing, while "Plan" is a broader term denoting an intended course of action.
Difference Between Blueprint and Plan
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Blueprint often refers to a technical drawing or schematic, detailing how something should be built or assembled. Plan, on the other hand, encompasses a wider range of meanings and can pertain to an intended course of action or strategy.
A blueprint is specific and provides precise instructions or diagrams, often for construction or production purposes. Conversely, a plan may be less detailed, outlining objectives and steps without the intricate specifics.
Architects might use a blueprint to show the exact design and structure of a building. In comparison, a business might have a plan for expansion, which broadly outlines strategies and goals but doesn't provide a step-by-step schematic.
While a blueprint is a type of plan, it's specialized and visual. A plan could be visual, written, or even just a mental outline, varying in its level of detail and specificity.
Ultimately, all blueprints can be considered plans because they show an intended approach. However, not all plans are blueprints since they may lack the technical precision and specificity blueprints offer.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A detailed technical drawing
An intended course of action
Level of Specificity
Highly specific and detailed
Can vary from detailed to broad
Example
An architect's design of a house
A business strategy for the next year
Typical Use
Construction, manufacturing, technical designs
Strategies, proposals, intentions
Nature
Typically visual
Can be visual, written, or mental
Compare with Definitions
Blueprint
A standard or benchmark.
Her success is a blueprint for others to follow.
Plan
A detailed proposal for achieving something.
Their plan for the trip was meticulous.
Blueprint
A detailed technical drawing.
The engineer presented the blueprint for the new bridge.
Plan
A detailed design or diagram.
The plan for the house was drawn by a renowned architect.
Blueprint
A detailed plan or program of action.
The mayor released a blueprint for city improvements.
Plan
A scheme or program developed for a particular purpose.
The government's health care plan received mixed reactions.
Blueprint
A blueprint is a reproduction of a technical drawing or engineering drawing using a contact print process on light-sensitive sheets. Introduced by Sir John Herschel in 1842, the process allowed rapid and accurate production of an unlimited number of copies.
Plan
A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a goal.
Blueprint
A contact print of a drawing or other image rendered as white lines on a blue background, especially such a print of an architectural plan or technical drawing. Also called cyanotype.
Plan
An orderly or step-by-step conception or proposal for accomplishing an objective
A plan for improving math instruction.
Blueprint
A mechanical drawing produced by any of various similar photographic processes, such as one that creates blue or black lines on a white background.
Plan
A proposed or intended course of action
Had no plans for the evening.
Blueprint
A detailed plan of action.
Plan
A systematic arrangement of elements or important parts; a configuration or outline
A seating plan.
The plan of a story.
Blueprint
A model or prototype.
Plan
A drawing or diagram made to scale showing the structure or arrangement of something.
Blueprint
To make a blueprint of.
Plan
In perspective rendering, one of several imaginary planes perpendicular to the line of vision between the viewer and the object being depicted.
Blueprint
To lay a plan for.
Plan
A program or policy stipulating a service or benefit
A pension plan.
Blueprint
A type of paper-based reproduction process producing white-on-blue images, used primarily for technical and architecture's drawings, now largely replaced by other technologies.
Plan
To formulate a scheme or program for the accomplishment, enactment, or attainment of
Plan a campaign.
Blueprint
A print produced with this process.
Plan
To have as a specific aim or purpose; intend
They plan to buy a house.
Blueprint
A detailed technical drawing (now often in some electronically storable and transmissible form).
Plan
To draw or make a graphic representation of.
Blueprint
Any detailed plan, whether literal or figurative.
Plan
To make plans.
Blueprint
To make a blueprint for.
The architect blueprinted the renovation plan once the client had signed off.
Plan
A drawing showing technical details of a building, machine, etc., with unwanted details omitted, and often using symbols rather than detailed drawing to represent doors, valves, etc.
The plans for many important buildings were once publicly available.
Blueprint
To make a detailed operational plan for.
They blueprinted every aspect of the first phase of the operation.
Plan
A set of intended actions, usually mutually related, through which one expects to achieve a goal.
He didn't really have a plan; he had a goal and a habit of control.
Blueprint
See under Print.
Plan
A two-dimensional drawing of a building as seen from above with obscuring or irrelevant details such as roof removed, or of a floor of a building, revealing the internal layout; as distinct from the elevation.
Seen in plan, the building had numerous passageways not apparent to visitors.
Blueprint
Something intended as a guide for making something else;
A blueprint for a house
A pattern for a skirt
Plan
A method; a way of procedure; a custom.
Blueprint
Photographic print of plans or technical drawings etc.
Plan
A subscription to a service.
A phone plan
An Internet plan
Blueprint
Make a blueprint of
Plan
(transitive) To design (a building, machine, etc.).
The architect planned the building for the client.
Blueprint
A guide for making something.
This document serves as a blueprint for our software development.
Plan
(transitive) To create a plan for.
They jointly planned the project in phases, with good detail for the first month.
Plan
(intransitive) To intend.
He planned to go, but work intervened.
Plan
(intransitive) To make a plan.
They planned for the worst, bringing lots of emergency supplies.
Plan
A draught or form; properly, a representation drawn on a plane, as a map or a chart; especially, a top view, as of a machine, or the representation or delineation of a horizontal section of anything, as of a building; a graphic representation; a diagram.
Plan
A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition.
God's plans like lines pure and white unfold.
Plan
A method; a way of procedure; a custom.
The simple plan,That they should take who have the power,And they should keep who can.
Plan
To form a delineation of; to draught; to represent, as by a diagram.
Plan
To scheme; to devise; to contrive; to form in design; as, to plan the conquest of a country.
Even in penance, planning sins anew.
Plan
A series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished;
They drew up a six-step plan
They discussed plans for a new bond issue
Plan
An arrangement scheme;
The awkward design of the keyboard made operation difficult
It was an excellent design for living
A plan for seating guests
Plan
Scale drawing of a structure;
The plans for City Hall were on file
Plan
Have the will and intention to carry out some action;
He plans to be in graduate school next year
The rebels had planned turmoil and confusion
Plan
Make plans for something;
He is planning a trip with his family
Plan
Make or work out a plan for; devise;
They contrived to murder their boss
Design a new sales strategy
Plan an attack
Plan
Make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form;
Design a better mousetrap
Plan the new wing of the museum
Plan
An intention or decision about what one is going to do.
I plan to graduate next year.
Plan
A method of action or procedure.
We need a new plan to tackle these challenges.
Common Curiosities
Can a "blueprint" refer to non-technical plans?
Yes, "blueprint" can metaphorically refer to any detailed plan or strategy.
How detailed is a "plan" usually?
The detail in a "plan" can vary from broad outlines to meticulous steps.
What is the primary use of a "blueprint"?
A "blueprint" is primarily used as a detailed technical drawing, especially in architecture or engineering.
Is a "plan" always written or visual?
No, a "plan" can be a mental outline, written document, or visual representation.
Is every "blueprint" a "plan"?
Yes, every "blueprint" is a form of "plan," but not all "plans" are "blueprints."
Can "plan" denote intent or decision?
Yes, for instance, "I plan to travel next month" indicates an intention.
How do "blueprints" relate to manufacturing?
In manufacturing, "blueprints" detail the design and assembly of products.
Are "plans" always future-oriented?
While often future-oriented, "plans" can also outline current structures or processes.
Are "blueprints" always highly detailed?
Typically, yes. "Blueprints" are meant to provide precise instructions or representations.
Can a "plan" be an official proposal?
Yes, such as a government's "plan" for policy changes.
How do "blueprints" relate to architecture?
In architecture, "blueprints" are technical drawings showing the design and structure of buildings.
Can "plan" refer to diagrams or designs?
Yes, for instance, a floor "plan" is a scaled diagram of a room or building viewed from above.
Is a "plan" always about achieving something?
Most often, yes. A "plan" usually outlines steps or strategies to reach a goal or objective.
Do "blueprints" always have to be visual?
While typically visual, "blueprint" can metaphorically refer to detailed plans, even if not graphically represented.
Can "blueprint" be used metaphorically?
Yes, it can signify a model or standard, e.g., "a blueprint for success."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
