Meaning
A graphical representation showing the amount of remaining work against the time left in a sprint or project.
Three examples from work
Daily stand-up
Scrum MasterLooking at the burndown chart, we are slightly behind our ideal trajectory.
DevThree large PRs are waiting for review; once merged, the line will drop.
Mid-sprint check
PMWhy is the burndown chart flat for the last three days?
LeadWe hit an unexpected blocker on the third-party payment gateway.
Sprint review
PMOur burndown chart was very stable this iteration.
DevBreaking user stories into smaller tasks definitely helped.
A 'flat burndown' indicates blocked work or scope creep. Use this term during stand-ups when tracking team commitment.