If you’ve worked with burndown charts, you’re already familiar with the concept of tracking progress against a goal.
But burndown charts only tell part of the story.
Enter the burnup chart — a visual tool that not only shows how much work has been completed, but also how the total scope of work may change over time.
For project managers, burnup charts can be a powerful way to communicate progress, manage scope, and adapt to change without losing sight of the big picture.
What Is a Burnup Chart?
A burnup chart is a graphical representation of work completed over time, plotted against the total work required for a project or sprint.
It typically features two key lines:
- Work Completed (Burnup Line): This shows how much work has been finished over time.
- Total Scope Line: This remains flat if the project scope is fixed — or rises if new tasks or requirements are added.
Unlike a burndown chart, which can make it difficult to see when scope increases, a burnup chart gives you full visibility into both effort and scope, making it an ideal tool for dynamic or evolving projects.
How Project Managers Use Burnup Charts
Burnup charts are especially helpful when:
- Scope is likely to change: You can show stakeholders how added features or requirements impact the overall effort.
- You want to visualize velocity: The slope of the work-completed line gives a clear picture of how fast the team is delivering.
- You need to support better forecasting: Comparing your team’s velocity against the total scope helps project managers predict completion dates with greater confidence.
- You’re managing cross-functional input: When different teams contribute work that changes the scope mid-project, burnup charts help tell the full story.
Example Use Case 1: Managing Evolving Requirements in App Development
Imagine a product manager overseeing the development of a new mobile app.
Midway through the sprint, stakeholders request three new features that weren’t part of the original scope. Instead of confusing the team with constantly shifting burndown lines, the PM uses a burnup chart.
The scope line increases to reflect the new features, while the work completed line continues to rise steadily.
Everyone — from devs to executives — can clearly see that progress hasn’t slowed, even though the finish line has moved.
Result: The burnup chart keeps morale steady and expectations realistic, without hiding the impact of added scope.
Example Use Case 2: Tracking Progress in a Long-Term Content Project
A marketing team is creating a library of 100 SEO-optimized articles over six months. Articles are completed in batches, with scope adjusted along the way based on performance metrics.
The burnup chart becomes the go-to tool in monthly check-ins.
As the total number of required articles changes, the scope line adjusts … but the progress line keeps rising.
The team and leadership stay aligned on what’s been accomplished, what’s left, and whether they’re on pace to hit quarterly goals.
Result: The burnup chart provides clarity in a flexible, content-heavy project where priorities shift frequently.
Burnup vs. Burndown: When to Use Each
While both charts are useful, burnup charts are often better suited to projects where change is expected. They make scope creep visible and help communicate those changes clearly.
Burndown charts are still a strong choice for fixed-scope sprints or when simplicity is key.
In many cases, teams use both — the burndown for day-to-day tracking and the burnup for higher-level reporting.
Final Thoughts
Burnup charts give project managers a clear, honest view of progress — especially when juggling shifting requirements and multiple stakeholders.
They offer context, encourage adaptability, and tell a fuller story than their burndown counterparts.
If your projects rarely go exactly as planned (and let’s face it — whose do?), burnup charts might just become your new favorite tool.