Understanding the Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD)

A Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) is a powerful tool used in Kanban and Scrum to visualize the flow of work and provide insights into key metrics such as Work in Progress (WIP), Cycle Time, and Throughput.

Exam Question

A cumulative flow diagram can show you:
(choose the best two answers)
A. The average Throughput for a specific date range.
B. The exact average Cycle Time for all items completed on a specific date.
C. The Cycle Time for an item that completed on a specific date.
D. The total amount of Work in Progress (WIP) for a specific date.

Correct Answers

A. The average Throughput for a specific date range.
D. The total amount of Work in Progress (WIP) for a specific date.

Explanation

Correct Answers

A. The average Throughput for a specific date range:
A Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) can help estimate the average throughput by observing the flow of work over a period of time. Throughput is the rate at which work items are completed and can be inferred by analyzing how the lines on the CFD progress over a specific date range.

D. The total amount of Work in Progress (WIP) for a specific date:
The CFD visually represents the total amount of WIP on any given day by the vertical distance between the “In Progress” and “Completed” lines on the chart. This helps teams monitor and manage their WIP limits effectively, ensuring that they are not overloading the system.

Why the Other Options Are Less Appropriate

B. The exact average Cycle Time for all items completed on a specific date:
While a CFD can provide insights into cycle times, it does not directly give you the exact average cycle time for all items completed on a specific date. Cycle Time is typically analyzed using other tools, such as a Cycle Time Scatterplot.

C. The Cycle Time for an item that completed on a specific date:
A CFD does not directly show the Cycle Time for a specific item. This metric is better analyzed with tools like Cycle Time scatterplots, which focus on individual work items.

Relevance to the PSK I Exam

Understanding what a Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) can and cannot show is important for the PSK I exam. This knowledge helps in effectively using the CFD to manage workflow and optimize the delivery process within a Scrum with Kanban framework.

Key Takeaways

• A CFD can show the average throughput over a specific date range and the total amount of WIP for a specific date.
• It does not directly provide exact average cycle times or the cycle time for specific items.
• Recognizing the capabilities and limitations of a CFD is essential for managing and optimizing workflow.

Conclusion

The Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) is a valuable tool for understanding throughput and WIP within a Scrum with Kanban framework. It provides insights that help teams manage their workflow and ensure that work progresses efficiently. For more information on preparing for the PSK I exam, visit our Professional Kanban PSK I™ Exam Prep.