BurnupDiagramme

BurnupDiagramme, commonly called a burnup chart, is a graphical tool used in agile project management to visualize work completed toward a project’s scope over time. It plots time on the horizontal axis and the amount of work on the vertical axis, with units such as story points or person-hours.

A typical burnup diagram includes two lines: the burnup line and the scope line. The burnup line shows cumulative work that has been completed, while the scope line represents the total amount of work planned for the project. As work is completed, the burnup line rises. If the scope changes—due to added or removed requirements—the scope line shifts accordingly, providing a visual indication of how scope fluctuations affect progress.

The diagram is used to monitor progress, forecast completion dates, and communicate status to stakeholders. It helps distinguish between progress being made and changes in scope, making it easier to assess whether the team is on track given the current plan.

Benefits of burnup diagrams include clarity of progress, early visibility of potential delays, and a straightforward way to illustrate the impact of scope changes. They are often used in sprint planning and product development cycles to support forecasting and decision-making.

Limitations include reliance on consistent estimation and units, which can distort interpretation if estimates are inaccurate. Burnup diagrams do not directly measure quality or risk, and they can be misleading if there is significant variance in task size or if data is incomplete. Proper use typically involves regular updates and a clear definition of what constitutes “completed” work.