Cumulative Flow Diagram
A Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) is a visual tool used in Agile and Kanban methodologies to track the progress of work items through various stages of a workflow over time. It displays the cumulative number of items in each workflow state (e.g., backlog, in progress, done) as stacked area charts, helping teams identify bottlenecks, measure cycle times, and forecast completion. By analyzing the width and shape of the bands, teams can gain insights into workflow efficiency and stability.
Developers should learn and use Cumulative Flow Diagrams when working in Agile or Kanban environments to monitor workflow health and improve delivery predictability. It is particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks in development pipelines, estimating project timelines, and facilitating data-driven discussions in retrospectives. For example, a widening 'in progress' band might indicate too much work in progress, prompting process adjustments.