Burndown Charts
Overview
Zymmr's burndown chart is a vital tool for Agile teams, providing a clear visual representation of work remaining versus time. It helps teams track their progress throughout a sprint or project, ensuring they stay on schedule to meet their goals.
Key Features of Zymmr Burndown Charts
Choice of Metrics
You can configure the chart to display progress based on your team's preferred estimation method:
- Story Points: Ideal for teams using story points to estimate work.
- Effort: Suitable for teams tracking progress in hours or days.
The Three Key Lines
The chart displays three lines that together provide a complete picture of your team's progress.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| Guideline | A straight reference line showing the ideal rate at which work should be completed to finish on time. |
| Work Remaining | Shows the actual amount of work left to be completed. This line should trend downwards towards zero. |
| Extrapolation | A projected trend line based on the team's current velocity. This helps forecast if the team is on track. (Can be toggled on/off) |
How to Access and Use Burndown Charts
Accessing the Chart
- Navigate to the Projects tab from navbar.
- Select the specific project you want to track, clicking on its title.
- In the project's left-hand menu, click on the Burndown Chart option.
Configuring and Interpreting the Chart
- Configure Metric: At the top of the chart, choose the sprint and, choose whether to display the data in Story Points or Effort.
- Toggle Extrapolation: You can turn the Extrapolation Line on or off by clicking on extrapolation legend label on chart, based on your preference for forecasting.
- Analyze the Lines:
- Compare the Work Remaining line to the Guideline. If your team's remaining work is consistently above the guideline, it may indicate a risk of not completing the work on time.
- Use the Extrapolation Line to predict a potential completion date based on the team's current pace.
Benefits of Using Burndown Charts
- Transparency: Provides immediate, clear visibility into how much work is left and the pace at which it's being completed.
- Forecasting: Helps predict if the sprint or project goals will be met on time by comparing actual progress to the ideal guideline.
- Problem Identification: A flat or upward-trending "Work Remaining" line can quickly signal problems, such as scope creep or unforeseen blockers.
- Motivation: A steady downward trend can be highly motivating for the team, showing tangible progress toward their goal.
Keep Your Sprint on Track
By leveraging burndown charts in Zymmr, teams can maintain better control over their sprints, ensure timely deliveries, and adjust plans proactively based on clear, visual insights.