Burnup Chart
A Burnup Chart is a graphical representation that shows the amount of work completed over time alongside the total scope, making it easy to see both progress and scope changes.
Explanation
A Burnup Chart has two lines: one showing the total scope (which may change over time) and one showing the completed work. The Y-axis represents work (story points or items), and the X-axis represents time (sprints or days). When the completed-work line meets the total-scope line, the work is done.
The key advantage of a burnup chart over a burndown chart is that it clearly visualizes scope changes. If the total scope line moves upward, stakeholders can immediately see that new work has been added. This transparency helps teams have honest conversations about trade-offs between scope and schedule.
Burnup charts are particularly useful for release planning, where scope changes are common. They help the Product Owner and stakeholders understand the impact of adding or removing features on the projected completion date.
Key Points
- •Two lines: total scope and completed work
- •Clearly shows scope changes over time
- •Completed when the work line meets the scope line
- •Especially useful for release-level tracking
Exam Tip
Burnup charts are better than burndown charts for showing scope changes. If a question involves changing scope, the burnup chart provides the clearest picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Burndown Chart
A Burndown Chart is a graphical representation of work remaining versus time in a Sprint or release, showing whether the team is on track to complete the planned work.
Release Planning
Release Planning is an agile practice where the team and Product Owner determine the scope, timing, and goals for the next product release by mapping backlog items across future iterations based on team velocity.
Information Radiators
Information Radiators are highly visible displays of project information placed in prominent locations where the team and stakeholders can easily see them, promoting transparency and communication without requiring active effort.
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