HKSM
Burnup Chart
A visual chart showing the cumulative amount of work finished as a product release progresses toward delivery.
Key Points
- Plots completed work over time to show progress toward a release.
- Usually includes a total scope line, making scope changes visible.
- Supports forecasting completion by projecting current progress trends.
- Differs from a burndown chart, which tracks remaining work instead of completed work.
Example
A Scrum team tracks story points delivered each sprint. The burnup chart shows the cumulative points completed rising each iteration, while the total scope line adjusts when new stories are added. By comparing the slope of completed work to the scope line, the product owner estimates when the team will reach the release goal.
PMP Example Question
Which artifact best displays cumulative work completed over time against a target scope line to reveal progress and scope changes for a release?
- Burnup chart
- Burndown chart
- Cumulative flow diagram
- Velocity chart
Correct Answer: A — Burnup chart
Explanation: A burnup chart shows cumulative completed work and often includes a total scope line, making it ideal for visualizing progress and scope changes toward a release.
