HKSM

A visual tool that tracks the total project risk severity over time. The probabilities of individual risks are stacked to display the combined, cumulative risk on the y-axis. Teams identify and assess risks and create this chart early in the project, then update it as the work proceeds.

Key Points

• Shows cumulative risk severity on the y-axis against time on the x-axis.
• Stacks the likelihood (and often exposure) of multiple risks to reveal total risk at each time point.
• Built early after initial risk identification and assessment, then reviewed and updated regularly.
• A downward trend indicates effective risk responses and decreasing overall risk exposure.

Example

An Agile team launches a new platform. During sprint 0, they identify risks such as vendor delay, security gaps, and performance issues. They create a risk burndown chart that stacks the probabilities of these risks each sprint. After implementing mitigation actions (e.g., early security testing and performance spikes), the chart shows a steady decline in cumulative risk by sprint 4.

PMP Example Question

Which artifact best helps an Agile team visualize whether overall project risk exposure is trending downward across sprints?

1. Risk register heat map
2. Risk burndown chart
3. Cumulative flow diagram
4. Issue log

Correct Answer: B — Risk burndown chart

Explanation: The risk burndown chart stacks risk likelihoods to show total risk severity over time, making it ideal for tracking whether overall exposure decreases as responses are implemented.