A Burnup Chart, also known as a progress chart, is a visual tool used in Agile and Scrum methodologies to track the amount of work completed over time. Unlike the Burndown Chart, which shows the remaining work, the Burnup Chart illustrates the work completed compared to the total scope.

This chart is especially useful for project managers and Product Owners who need to measure team performance, identify trends, and anticipate the project’s or increment’s delivery date.

Structure and Reading of a Burnup Chart:

A typical Burnup Chart has two main lines:

1. Total Scope Line – represents the total amount of work to be done (often measured in story points or tasks).

2. Work Completed Line – increases as backlog items are completed.

The horizontal axis (X-axis) represents time (sprints or days), while the vertical axis (Y-axis) represents the cumulative effort or value delivered.

The intersection of these two lines helps visualize:

• The team’s progress rate,

• Scope changes, and

• The forecasted completion date based on observed velocity.

Why Use a Burnup Chart?

A Burnup Chart provides several key advantages in Agile project management:

• Transparency: Clearly shows project progress over time.

• Visibility of scope changes: Unlike the Burndown Chart, the Burnup Chart highlights adjustments in total scope.

• Team motivation: Visualizing real progress boosts engagement and satisfaction.

• Predictability: The trend line allows for more accurate delivery forecasts.

Burnup Chart and Project Management According to the PMI:

Within the Project Management Institute (PMI) framework, the Burnup Chart fits into several performance and knowledge areas:

• Schedule Management – tracking actual progress versus plan.

• Scope Management – monitoring and visualizing scope changes.

• Performance Domain – assessing delivered value and team capability.

Although the PMBOK® Guide has traditionally focused on predictive approaches, its recent editions and related certifications (PMP® and CAPM®) now include Agile and hybrid practices. The Burnup Chart is recognized as an essential visual management and performance communication tool.

The Burnup Chart in CAPM® and PMP® Certifications:

• In the CAPM® (Certified Associate in Project Management) certification, understanding the Burnup Chart supports mastering the fundamentals of Agile performance measurement, adaptive planning, and stakeholder communication.

• In the PMP® (Project Management Professional) certification, the Burnup Chart is part of the skill set needed to manage hybrid environments, where project managers combine traditional and Agile tools for optimal results.

Candidates for both PMP® and CAPM® exams should be able to:

• Interpret a Burnup Chart.

• Explain how it supports transparency, collaboration, and predictability.

• Link it to PMBOK® knowledge areas and Agile principles from the PMI Agile Practice Guide.

Best Practices for Using a Burnup Chart:

1. Update it regularly after each sprint or iteration.

2. Use consistent units (e.g., story points, hours, or tasks).

3. Show scope changes clearly to detect project drift.

4. Communicate results to the team and stakeholders during sprint reviews or retrospectives.

5. Compare observed velocity with forecasts to refine future planning.

Practical Example:

Imagine a Scrum team with an initial scope of 100 story points.

• After three sprints, 60 story points have been completed.

• The total scope increases to 110 story points due to new requirements.

On the Burnup Chart, the work completed line reaches 60, while the total scope line rises from 100 to 110. This visual makes it clear that, although the team is progressing well, the target has moved — an important signal for the Product Owner and project manager.

The Burnup Chart is a powerful Agile tool for tracking progress, anticipating risks, and communicating performance effectively. In the context of PMP® and CAPM® certifications, it demonstrates the convergence between predictive approaches from the PMBOK® Guide and adaptive Agile practices.

Mastering the Burnup Chart not only strengthens your ability to manage Agile and hybrid projects but also enhances your preparation for PMI certifications, where understanding visual performance and tracking tools is a key success factor.

Frequent PMP® & CAPM® exam questions :

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What does an Agile Burnup Chart show?
a) The remaining work over time
b) The total effort spent per sprint
c) The amount of work completed over time
d) The project budget consumption
Correct answer c): A burnup chart displays how much work has been completed over time, helping teams visualize progress toward the total project scope.

What do the two main lines on a Burnup Chart represent?
a) Completed work and total scope
b) Planned tasks and actual hours
c) Budget and actual costs
d) Velocity and capacity
Correct answer a): The burnup chart typically includes two lines: one showing the total project scope and another showing cumulative work completed, highlighting progress.

How can a Burnup Chart indicate scope changes?
a) Through variations in velocity
b) When the completed work line fluctuates
c) When the total scope line moves up or down
d) When sprint duration changes
Correct answer c): A shift in the total scope line signifies that new work has been added or removed, clearly showing scope changes over time.

In Agile, what is the main advantage of using a Burnup Chart?
a) It predicts cost overruns
b) It shows both progress and scope in one view
c) It tracks individual performance
d) It replaces the product backlog
Correct answer b): The burnup chart’s ability to show progress and scope together gives teams and stakeholders a clear understanding of how work completion aligns with goals.

What does it mean when the completed work line meets the total scope line?
a) The sprint has started
b) The project scope increased
c) The project is complete
d) The team’s velocity decreased
Correct answer c): When the completed work line reaches the total scope line, it indicates that all planned work has been finished and the project objectives met.

How is velocity related to the Burnup Chart?
a) It determines the slope of the completed work line
b) It measures budget performance
c) It indicates stakeholder satisfaction
d) It defines sprint length
Correct answer a): The team’s velocity, or rate of work completion per iteration, determines how steeply the completed work line rises on the burnup chart.

Why might a team’s Burnup Chart flatten temporarily?
a) The project scope decreased
b) The team stopped completing new work
c) The velocity increased
d) The total scope line changed
Correct answer b): A flat line means no new work has been completed during that period, possibly due to blockers, delays, or focus shifts.

What is the main difference between a Burnup and Burndown Chart?
a) Burnup tracks completed work; burndown tracks remaining work
b) Burnup shows hours worked; burndown shows cost
c) Burnup is only for Scrum; burndown for Kanban
d) Burnup measures velocity; burndown measures productivity
Correct answer a): A burnup chart focuses on cumulative work completed, while a burndown chart emphasizes work remaining — both tracking project progress differently.

Which metric can be predicted using a Burnup Chart?
a) Cost variance
b) Schedule completion date
c) Resource utilization
d) Product defects
Correct answer b): By analyzing the trend of completed work against total scope, teams can estimate when the remaining work will be completed and forecast project completion dates.

Who typically reviews the Burnup Chart during Agile ceremonies?
a) Only the project manager
b) The Scrum Master and Product Owner
c) The entire Agile team
d) Only stakeholders
Correct answer c): The entire Agile team reviews the burnup chart during stand-ups or reviews to track progress, identify trends, and make collective decisions about scope and priorities.