HKSM
cumulative flow diagram
A time-based chart that cumulatively displays how many features are done, how many are in each in-progress state, and how many remain in the backlog.
Key Points
- Shows cumulative item counts per workflow state (Backlog, In Progress stages, Done) across time.
- The vertical thickness between colored bands represents WIP; widening bands signal bottlenecks.
- The slope of the Done band reflects throughput; steady, parallel bands suggest stable flow.
- Supports forecasting completion, monitoring queues, and guiding WIP limit and process adjustments.
Example
A Kanban team tracks features weekly. Their cumulative flow diagram shows the Testing band growing faster than others while the Done band flattens. The team adds a tester and limits items entering Testing; over the next two weeks the Testing band narrows and the Done band steepens, restoring predictable flow.
PMP Example Question
Which artifact best visualizes completed features over time along with items in each intermediate state and in the backlog to identify bottlenecks?
- Sprint burndown chart
- Cumulative flow diagram
- Gantt chart
- Velocity chart
Correct Answer: B — cumulative flow diagram
Explanation: A cumulative flow diagram plots cumulative counts by state (Backlog, in-progress stages, Done) over time, revealing WIP, bottlenecks, and throughput. The other options do not show all states simultaneously.
