HKSM
burn chart
A chart that visualizes either the amount of work left in a fixed time period or the amount finished toward a product release or project deliverable.
Key Points
- Includes burndown (work remaining over time) and burnup (work completed toward total scope).
- Time is on the x-axis; effort or scope (story points, hours, or backlog items) is on the y-axis.
- Updated frequently (often daily) to show trends, forecast completion, and reveal scope changes or blockers.
- Used for sprint timeboxes and for releases; promotes transparency with stakeholders.
Example
A Scrum team in a 2-week sprint starts with 120 story points. Each day they update a burndown chart to show points remaining. Mid-sprint, 10 points are added to the backlog; the burndown shows a plateau, while a burnup chart would show the completed work line rising and a separate scope line increasing, clarifying the impact of scope change.
PMP Example Question
During a two-week sprint, the team needs a simple visual that shows how much work remains each day and helps forecast whether the sprint goal will be met. Which tool should they use?
- Cumulative flow diagram
- Burn chart
- Gantt chart
- Earned value S-curve
Correct Answer: B - Burn chart
Explanation: A burn chart displays remaining work in a timebox (burndown) or work completed toward a release (burnup), making it ideal for daily sprint tracking and forecasting.
