Burn-up Chart
Updated 2026-08-13
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
A project tracking chart, used alongside or instead of the burn-down chart, that plots cumulative completed work as a rising line against a second line representing total scope. Because scope is drawn explicitly, additions show up as a jump in the upper line rather than as a mysterious slowdown in progress. The qualification is that both lines must be maintained honestly, since an unupdated scope line converts the chart into an optimistic fiction. Its main advantage is separating real progress from scope creep.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Progress read: track the completed line to see delivered work rather than remaining work. - Scope watch: watch the total scope line for jumps that reveal newly added requirements. - Stakeholder talk: show both lines together when explaining why the projected finish date moved.
Anchor fast decisions
Tracking only remaining work conflates two causes of a flat line, namely slow delivery and growing scope, so the observer cannot tell them apart. Plotting completed work and total scope as separate rising lines separates the two signals, letting anyone see whether the team is slow or the target itself has moved.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burndown_chartverified
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