Definition
A burndown chart is a visual representation of work remaining versus time in an agile project. It plots the total effort required to complete a project against the time available, typically showing a downward trend as work is completed. This chart helps teams track progress and forecast completion dates by illustrating the rate at which work is being accomplished. It is essential for identifying potential delays and ensuring the project stays on schedule. For example, a software development team might use a burndown chart to track story points completed each sprint towards a release goal. Unlike a burnup chart which shows completed work increasing, a burndown chart focuses on the remaining work decreasing. This concept is frequently assessed on the PMI-ACP, CAPM, and PMP certifications.