A cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a graphical representation of the flow of work through a process or system over time. It is typically used to visualize and analyze the flow of work in a software development project, but it can be applied to any process or system that involves the movement of work through different stages.

A CFD typically consists of a timeline along the x-axis and a series of stacked bars along the y-axis, representing the cumulative amount of work in each stage of the process at a given point in time. The bars are typically color-coded to represent different types of work, such as new work, work in progress, and completed work.

By analyzing the shape and movement of the bars on the CFD, stakeholders can gain insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the process or system, identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement, and track progress over time.

Popular Agile tools such as Jira and Azure DevOps provide a cumulative flow diagram chart you can use to evaluate your team’s workflow.

What Information Does a Cumulative Flow Diagram Provide and Who Uses It?

For a deeper look at what information a Cumulative Flow Diagram provides, check out my blog post titled “What Information Does a Cumulative Flow Diagram Provide?”

Project Managers are common users of a CFD, and spend a lot of time in Jira creating them. If you work in project management and are well versed in CFDs, you should check out some of the Jira Administration jobs on Jooble.org.

How to Read a Cumulative Flow Diagram

To read a CFD, follow these steps:

1. Identify the stages of the process or system represented on the diagram. The stages may be represented by different colors or labeled directly on the chart.

2. Look at the timeline along the x-axis. This represents the time period being analyzed.

3. Look at the stacked bars along the y-axis. These represent the cumulative amount of work in each stage of the process at a given point in time. The bars are typically color-coded to represent different types of work, such as new work, work in progress, and completed work.

4. Analyze the shape and movement of the bars over time. A flat or declining line may indicate that the flow of work is slowing or coming to a halt. An upward trend may indicate that the process is running smoothly and efficiently.

5. Identify any bottlenecks or areas for improvement by looking for points where one stage is significantly behind or ahead of the others.

By reading and interpreting a CFD, stakeholders can gain insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the process or system, identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement, and track progress over time.

The Pros of a Cumulative Flow Diagram

There are several advantages to using a cumulative flow diagram (CFD) to visualize and analyze the flow of work in a process or system:

• CFDs provide a visual representation of the flow of work through the system, making it easier to understand and analyze.

• They can help identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement by showing where work is piling up or falling behind.

• CFDs can be used to track progress over time, allowing stakeholders to see how the flow of work has changed and whether process improvements or changes have had the desired effect.

• They can be used to identify trends and patterns in the flow of work, which can be valuable for forecasting and planning.

• CFDs can help stakeholders understand the capacity of the system and identify opportunities to optimize the flow of work.

• They are useful for communication and collaboration, as they provide a clear and visual way to share information about the flow of work with team members and stakeholders.

The Cons of a Cumulative Flow Diagram

There are a few potential limitations to using a cumulative flow diagram (CFD) to visualize and analyze the flow of work in a process or system:

• CFDs only provide a snapshot of the flow of work at a particular point in time. They may not capture the complexity or nuance of the process or system.

• They may not be able to provide detailed insights into the root causes of bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

• CFDs may not be useful for processes or systems that do not involve discrete stages or where work is not easily divided into discrete units.

• They may not be able to accurately reflect the impact of external factors on the flow of work, such as changes in demand or external dependencies.

• CFDs may not be suitable for processes or systems with a high level of variability or complexity, as they may oversimplify the flow of work.

Overall, while CFDs can be a valuable tool for visualizing and analyzing the flow of work in a process or system, they should be used in conjunction with other methods and tools to provide a complete and accurate understanding of the process or system.

An Example of a Cumulative Flow Diagram

Below is an example of what a typical cumulative flow diagram looks like, with indicators of the different elements.