Visual tools are often leveraged to track progress and anticipate potential issues with IT projects. Among these tools, burn up and burn down charts hold a prominent place in project management. But what’s the difference between the two? Let’s delve into this topic.
What is a burn up chart?
A burn up chart serves as a graphical representation of work completed over time against the total scope of a project. It consists of two lines, one representing the total amount of work and the other indicating the work done so far. This type of chart offers a clear picture of the project’s progress in relation to the overall workload.
What is a burn down chart?
On the other hand, a burn down chart illustrates how quickly a team can burn through the backlog. It shows the remaining work versus time, presenting a clear view of what needs to be done and the pace at which the team is working. This provides an estimation of when the project is likely to be completed if the current pace continues.
How does a burn up chart work?
In a burn up chart, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amount of work. As tasks get completed, the ‘work done’ line gradually rises towards the ‘total work’ line. This allows teams to see their progress and how much work remains, providing a comprehensive view of the project’s status.
How does a burn down chart work?
In contrast, a burn down chart starts with the maximum amount of work at the top. As tasks get completed, the remaining work line goes down. The steeper the line, the faster the work gets done. This offers a snapshot of whether the team is on track to complete the project within the stipulated timeline.
Benefits of burn up vs. burn down charts
Benefits of burn up charts:
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Visibility of Scope Changes
Burn up charts make it easy to see when scope changes occur, as they cause the total work line to shift. This helps teams adjust their plans accordingly.
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Clear Progress Tracking
With a burn up chart, it’s easy to see how much work has been done versus the total amount of work, making it simple to track progress.
Benefits of down charts:
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Easy Deadline Predictions
Burn down charts allow for straightforward deadline predictions based on the current rate of work.
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Immediate Insight into Delays
If the remaining work line flattens out, it indicates that no work is getting completed, providing immediate insight into potential delays.
Burn up vs. burn down charts: Main differences
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Total progress vs. remaining work
Burn up charts show the total amount of work and the progress made, whereas burn down charts focus on the remaining work.
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Scope changes vs. completion times
Burn up charts offer a better view of scope changes, while burn down charts provide a clearer prediction of project completion time.
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Long-term projects vs. short-term projects
Burn up charts are more suited to long-term projects with flexible scopes, while burn down charts are ideal for short-term projects with fixed scopes.
Burn up vs. burn down: Which one should you choose?
As you can see, both burn up and burn down charts serve as valuable tools in project management. The choice between the two depends largely on the nature of the project and the team’s preferences. By understanding how each chart works and their respective benefits, teams can make an informed decision that best suits their needs.
