Burndown and Burnup Charts
Introduction
Burndown and Burnup charts are essential tools in Agile project management, providing visual representations of work completed versus work remaining. They help teams track progress and forecast project completion dates, making them invaluable for effective sprint planning and overall project management.
What is a Burndown Chart?
A Burndown chart displays the amount of work remaining in a project over time. It is a graphical representation that shows how much work has been completed and how much is left to do, allowing teams to visualize their progress against the sprint or project timeline.
Key Components of a Burndown Chart:
- X-Axis: Represents the time (usually in days).
- Y-Axis: Represents the amount of work remaining (often in story points or hours).
- Ideal Line: A straight line from the total work at the start of the project down to zero at the end of the timeline, indicating the ideal progress.
- Actual Line: A line that tracks the actual amount of work remaining, showing how closely the team is following the ideal trajectory.
Example Burndown Chart
Imagine a 10-day sprint with 100 story points. The ideal line would slope down linearly from 100 to 0 over the 10 days. If by day 5 there are 40 story points remaining, the actual line would drop down to that point, indicating the team is behind schedule.
What is a Burnup Chart?
A Burnup chart, on the other hand, shows the amount of work completed over time. Instead of showing how much work is left, it focuses on how much work has been done, making it easier to understand project progress and scope changes.
Key Components of a Burnup Chart:
- X-Axis: Represents the time (usually in days).
- Y-Axis: Represents the total amount of work (in story points or hours).
- Completed Work Line: A line that represents the cumulative work completed over time.
- Total Work Line: A line that shows the total scope of the project, which may change if the project scope increases.
Example Burnup Chart
In a 10-day sprint, the total work line starts at 100 story points. If by day 5 the team has completed 60 story points, the completed work line would be at 60. If the scope increased to 120 story points on day 3, the total work line would adjust to reflect that.
When to Use Burndown vs. Burnup Charts
Both charts have their own advantages and use cases:
- Burndown Charts: Best for teams wanting to focus on the work remaining and tracking velocity over time.
- Burnup Charts: Ideal for teams needing to visualize scope changes and track completed work, providing a clearer picture when project scope is flexible.
Conclusion
Burndown and Burnup charts are invaluable tools for Agile teams, helping them visualize their progress and manage their work effectively. By understanding the differences and applications of each chart, teams can make informed decisions and improve their workflow.