I have a feeling we as Scrum Masters have all run into a situation like this title describes. Your team is underperforming and during the retrospective, you present the burndown chart, which does not look all that great. You begin to hear the sighs, you see the eyes roll, and you have just lost your audience. All of this simply because you are doing your best to help the team improve.
If your team does not like burndown charts, it’s important to understand their concerns. Often there are good reasons a team does not like the burndown. Maybe they had a bad experience with a prior scrum master who wielded the burndown chart negatively and too heavily. Maybe its just one person on the team who has influenced the others in a negative way. Whatever the reason, as servant leaders, we need to get to the bottom of the issue so don't be afraid to explore alternative methods to track and visualize progress. Here are some steps to address the teams concerns and alternative options you can consider:
Understanding the Teams Concerns
- Gather Feedback:
- Hold a meeting or retrospective to discuss why the team dislikes burndown charts. The retrospective is usually the best time and place to solicit the teams feedback.
- Encourage open and honest feedback to understand specific issues they have. It could be that they have bad experiences with burndown charts in the past.
- If you have one person in particular who is influencing the rest of the team, you can usually identify this by their strong vocalization of negative emotion when the burndown chart is brought up. Take this person aside and talk to them privately and see if you can influence them to give it another try. Emphasize the importance of the burndown and how it can be used positively to cheer the team on to higher performance.
- Identify Common Issues:
- Common concerns might include feeling micromanaged, finding the charts unhelpful, or believing the data is inaccurate.
- Address any misconceptions or provide additional training on how to use and interpret burndown charts effectively.
Alternative Metrics and Tools
If the team remains resistant to burndown charts even after explaining why and how they are helpful, consider using alternative metrics and visualization tools that can achieve similar goals. Here are some options:
1. Burnup Chart
What it measures:
- Tracks the amount of work completed against the total work and any changes in scope.
Advantages:
- Shows scope changes and provides a clear view of progress towards the goal.
- Highlights both completed and remaining work.
- It tends to be viewed more positively by some teams.
How to use it:
- Plot total work and completed work over time.
- Use it to identify scope changes and progress trends.
2. Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD)
What it measures:
- Visualizes work in different stages (e.g., To Do, In Progress, Done).
Advantages:
- Identifies bottlenecks and process inefficiencies.
- Shows the flow of work through the system.
How to use it:
- Plot the number of work items in each stage over time.
- Analyze the width of the bands to identify areas for improvement.
3. Sprint Goal Progress
What it measures:
- Tracks progress towards specific sprint goals rather than individual tasks or story points.
Advantages:
- Keeps the team focused on achieving the overarching goals of the sprint.
- Simplifies tracking by focusing on goal completion.
How to use it:
- Define clear, measurable sprint goals.
- Track progress based on completion of these goals.
4. Velocity Chart
What it measures:
- Tracks the amount of work completed in each sprint over time.
Advantages:
- Helps in forecasting future sprints based on historical data.
- Provides a trend of the team’s capacity and performance.
How to use it:
- Plot the completed story points or tasks for each sprint.
- Use it to analyze trends and adjust planning accordingly.
Addressing Team Concerns and Building Consensus
Empower the Team and Focus on Value:
Involve the team in choosing the metrics and visualization tools that work best for them. Ensure they understand the purpose and benefits of tracking progress. Emphasize how these tools help in identifying issues early, improving planning, and achieving sprint goals. Show how the data can help in making informed decisions and removing impediments. Ultimately, show them how metrics can improve their lives and save them time.
Try an Iterative Approach and Conduct Regular Reviews:
Start with one alternative and evaluate its effectiveness over the course of a few sprints. Be open to experimenting with different methods until you find the most suitable one. Continuously review and adjust the chosen methods based on team feedback. Ensure the process remains flexible and evolves with the team’s needs.
Conclusion
If your team does not like burndown charts, it’s crucial to understand their concerns and be open to alternative methods of tracking progress. Every team is different, and made up of different personalities. By involving them in the decision-making process and exploring other tools like burnup charts, cumulative flow diagrams, sprint goal tracking, and velocity charts, you can find a solution that meets their needs and fosters a productive and collaborative work environment.
