What are the benefits and challenges of using a cumulative flow diagram for scrum?

1 What is a CFD?

A CFD is a chart that displays the number of work items in different stages of the workflow over time. It usually has a horizontal axis that represents time, and a vertical axis that represents the number of work items. The chart consists of several colored areas that correspond to different stages of the workflow, such as backlog, in progress, testing, and done. The areas are stacked on top of each other, forming a cumulative curve that shows the total number of work items in the system. The shape and slope of the curve and the areas can reveal useful information about the flow of work and the health of the project.

2 How to create and interpret a CFD?

Creating a CFD requires collecting data on the number of work items in each stage of the workflow at regular intervals, such as daily or weekly. This data can be tracked and recorded using a spreadsheet, software tool, or physical board. After plotting the data on a chart with different colors for each stage, you can analyze four aspects: the width, height, slope, and shape of the curve and the areas. The width of the curve represents Work in Progress (WIP), or the number of work items currently being worked on. A narrow width indicates a low WIP and a wide width indicates a high WIP. The height of the curve represents Lead Time, or the average time it takes for a work item to go from backlog to done. A low height indicates a short Lead Time and a high height indicates a long Lead Time. The slope of the curve represents Throughput, or the average number of work items completed per unit of time. A steep slope indicates high Throughput and a flat slope indicates low Throughput. Finally, the shape of the curve and areas represent Stability and Variability of the workflow, with smooth and consistent shapes indicating stable and predictable workflows, and jagged and irregular shapes indicating unstable and variable workflows.

3 What are the benefits of using a CFD for scrum?

Using a CFD for scrum can provide several benefits, such as visualizing the flow of work, monitoring the performance and health of the project, measuring and improving efficiency and quality, communicating and collaborating with the team and stakeholders, and aligning the project with scrum values and principles. It can also help detect potential issues and risks early, optimize the use of resources and capacity, as well as provide transparency and accountability for the project.

4 What are the challenges of using a CFD for scrum?

Using a CFD for scrum can also present some challenges, such as difficulty collecting and maintaining data on the number and status of work items. It can be easy to focus on the numbers and metrics, or to compare CFDs of different projects or teams without considering context and goals. Furthermore, interpreting the CFD without considering other factors and information that may affect the flow of work can be misleading. Lastly, it can be hard to balance the trade-offs between optimizing the flow of work and respecting the autonomy and empowerment of the team and individuals.

5 How to use a CFD effectively for scrum?

To use a CFD effectively for scrum, it is important to define and agree on the stages of the workflow and the criteria for moving work items from one stage to another. Data on the number and status of work items should be collected and updated regularly and accurately, using a tool or method that suits your needs and preferences. The CFD should be reviewed and analyzed periodically and collaboratively, serving as a basis for discussion and learning rather than judgment or blame. Additionally, the CFD can be used to identify opportunities for improvement and experimentation, as well as one of the inputs for scrum events like sprint planning, daily scrum, sprint review, and sprint retrospective. Implementing changes based on data and feedback is essential in this process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?