Project management in today’s climate is tough. Spinning all the plates necessary to deliver for your client was already a difficult enough task. But now, with everyone working remotely, it can feel like an impossible task. Optimizing remote team communication is something that many businesses will have wrestled with over the last twelve months. Luckily, the answer may be more simple than you first thought.


In order to keep on top of things when managing projects remotely, you'll need a quick and simple way to track progress. Whether you're launching a new product via a webinar, or onboarding new members of your team, making use of a device known as a burndown chart could be the answer to all your problems.


Well, not all your problems. You’re still going to have to understand the client's needs, put the work in, delegate tasks, overcome unforeseen obstacles along the way, and so on. Decent employee monitoring software can definitely help with a lot of this.


However, while burndown charts can’t necessarily fix everything, they can make a huge difference. They allow everyone you work with to see how much progress has been made, as well as how much more there is to go, keeping you on the right track.

What Are Burndown Charts?

By now, you’re probably wondering what we mean when we talk about “burndown charts”. So, let’s begin with the basics.


Burndown Charts are a device used as part of a wider project management strategy. They aren’t something that will be a one-stop-shop for all of your time-keeping or task-based goals. But, when integrated correctly, they can provide a useful illustration on how you, your team, or your business is performing.


They operate by showing the most effective way to complete a task from start to finish. With story points plotted down the “Y” axis and timescale plotted across the “X” axis, they are a neat, simple tool that allows you to keep track of your operational goals.


burndown chart
Example of the different data that can be incorporated on a burndown chart (Source: backlog.com)


In a time when many businesses have had to operate in a remote manner - for example, using a conference call instead of a morning scrum - having a tool that can show whether you’re on track is beneficial.


The particular way of working which is best suited to the use of burndown charts is something called “Agile” working. If you’re unfamiliar with this, a common description is a form of work that eradicates conventional boundaries, with the commonly-used tagline “anytime, any place, anywhere”. 


But, as The Agile Organisation approach is keen to point out, there is a little more to it than just providing fluidity for colleagues with remote working and flexible hours. It speaks to a different approach to the work itself, encouraging innovation and building a more cooperative and communal experience for all involved. Burndown charts fit into this ethos by providing information openly, and meaning everyone in a team knows exactly what’s going on.

The Benefits of Using Burndown Charts

Now that we’ve looked at what burndown charts are, let’s investigate some of their benefits. 


Accessible information

The most obvious benefit that burndown charts offer is that they are visual. Instead of having to wade through a lot of text to find out whether your project remains on track, burndown charts show things in a way that everyone should be able to interpret. It’s easy to tell if you’re keeping pace, moving quicker than expected, or falling behind. It’s also a great way to build trust between your team and management, reducing micromanagement and helping employees feel empowered in their own work.

Improved consistency

When introduced at the start of the project, burndown charts offer a great way to ensure that the targets remain consistent. This allows you to avoid having days where multiple parts of the project come to a head, and can distribute deadlines more effectively. This steadier approach cuts out any fluctuation, and is a great way to boost your productivity, as no one ever feels overwhelmed.

Easy to spot issues

On the occasion that things do go wrong, incorporating burndown charts into your strategy can help. Not only can they highlight the success of a team that is moving ahead of schedule, they can also flag up where productivity has taken a step back. When used alongside time tracking software, it can help to draw attention to the causes of this fall-off. Having this analysis, and using it to identify an issue before it gets out of control, is always going to be a welcome tool to have.



burndown
Burndown chart where “Actual Effort” shows that problems struck on days 4 and 5. (Source: visual-paradigm.com)


Having outlined the benefits of using burndown charts, let’s see how they actually allow for increased productivity. 

How Burndown Charts Can Improve Productivity

Nearly 80% of companies have adopted an agile strategy, meaning we won’t be seeing the back of it any time soon. Combined with cloud-based working, it increases the level of flexibility in an operation. Add in the rise of Anything as a Service (XaaS), and it’s easy to see how many teams are likely to work remotely - or at least, opt into a hybrid work model.


With this in mind, burndown charts can be a simple way of integrating some structure into your operation, engaging remote employees, and keeping everyone on the same page.



graphic about burndown charts
Graphic that shows 78% of businesses either have or are considering the implementation of agile working. (Source: stateofagile.com)

Of course, just because they provide structure doesn’t mean that burndown charts are incapable of being flexible. The ability to customise these charts means that, should a client ask for something to be changed during a project, this can be easily handled. 


Similarly, if you want to see how your colleagues compete with automated processes, you can easily keep track of how these processes impact your milestones on a burndown chart.

Potential Drawbacks

As with any change to operations, introducing burndown charts can have some drawbacks. Whilst they do highlight when productivity has been either ahead of or behind schedule, they aren’t able to illustrate any causality. 


This makes communication between all team members - especially when using group chats, group calls, or a virtual switchboard - vital. There’s no point in falling behind on progress if you don’t learn something from it.


Similarly, the data it illustrates is only as good as the person, or persons, who are updating it. It is integral that the data introduced onto the burndown charts is accurate, and hasn’t been falsified in any way. It may make a team, or a colleague, look better or worse than they actually are, which helps no one. 


It’s important not to treat burndown charts as a comprehensive method of project management on their own. They are most effective when used alongside other methods - such as a Gantt Chart or a Kanban board. This means that it is often not a simple case of just introducing burndown charts to your way of working - you may need to make broader changes to your methods.




kanban board
An example of a Kanban Board that could be used alongside a burndown chart. (Source: kanbanflow.com)


While burndown charts are flexible, they don’t have space to account for a backlog of tasks that a team may be experiencing. They also can’t always say which specific tasks have been completed, instead, showing a more general overview. For this, you may need additional strategies.

Conclusion

The digital industry is constantly changing. It will evolve today in ways that seemed unthinkable a year ago, and that pattern will continue for a very long time. Whether it’s updates to digital content protection, brand new project management strategies, or something we can’t even begin to expect, one thing we can count on is change


The last year has been revolutionary for business all around the world. The changes made are so dramatic that, pre-COVID, they would have been hard to fathom. Luckily, introducing something as simple as a burndown chart into your operations really can make all the difference - ensuring you and your team remain as productive as possible.


Workpuls Teramind ActivTrak Hubstaff DeskTime Time Doctor RescueTime Kickidler Veriato Work Examiner
OVERVIEW
Price $6/user/month $6/user/month $7.20/user/month $7/user/month $7/user/month $9.99/user/month $6/user/month $9.99/user/month $150/licence/year $60/licence (lifetime)
Free trial 7 days 7 days No 14 days 14 days 14 days 30 days 7 days Yes 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Very easy Easy Easy Very easy Very easy Very easy Very difficult Easy
TRACKING METHODS
Unlimited (tracker working 24/7)
Fixed (defined working hours)
Automatic (when computer is connected to a specified network)
Manual (start/stop)
Project based (track time only on projects)
GENERAL MONITORING FEATURES
Stealth mode
App and website usage
Real-time monitoring
Offline time tracking
Attendance
Activity levels
Keylogger
Geolocation
Remote desktop control
Website/activity blocking
SCREENSHOTS AND RECORDING
Screenshots
Screenshots on demand
Screen recording
PRODUCTIVITY FEATURES
Productivity trends
Websites and apps labeling
Category labeling
Productivity alerts
ADVANCED SECURITY FEATURES
User behavior analytics
Data loss prevention
Advanced file and web monitoring
REPORTING
Productivity reports
Team reports
Timelines
Email reports
Access management
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
Mobile app iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android iOS, Android Android
Browser extension Chrome Chrome Chrome
Other Citrix, VMware Chrome OS
OTHER
Support Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Phone, email, online Email, online Phone, email, online, in-person Online Phone, email, online Email, online, Viber, Whatsapp Phone, email, online, support ticket Phone, email, online
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations comming soon
API
Deployment cloud, on-premise cloud, on-premise, AWS, Azure cloud cloud cloud cloud cloud on-premise cloud, on-premise on-premise
Kronos Humanity Timeclockplus Tsheets Wheniwork Deputy Replicon Jibble EbilityTimeTracker OnTheClock BeeBole
OVERVIEW
Price(per month)Available upon requestFrom $2 per userAvailable upon requestFrom $6.40 per user+$16Free for up to 75 usersFrom $2.50 per userBasic plan:$30 for 5 users+$5 per additional userFrom $1.50 per employeeFrom $4 per user+$8From $2.20 per user$5.99 per user per month
Free trial30 days14 daysYes14 days14 days14 days30 days30 days,no credit card required
Ease of useDifficultEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyDifficultVery easyEasyEasyEasy
FEATURES
Timecard management
Scheduling
Shift Trading
Timesheets
Break time management
Real-time tracking
PTO Management
Payroll
Invoicing
Client billing
GPS tracking
Clock out reminders
Alerts
Manual time
PUNCH-IN METHODS
Web app
Mobile app
Time clock device
Time clock kiosk
Facial recognition
Fingerprint scanning
Geofencing
Group punch-in
REPORTING
Visual reports
Email reports
Time rounding
MANAGEMENT
Permissions
Manager approvals
Add time for others
Integrations
PLATFORMS
Web
Android app
iOS app
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app
OTHER
SupportPhone and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,chat and onlinePhone and chatEmail and onlineChat and phonePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlinePhone,email,chat and onlinePhone and onlineOnline chat and video support in English,French,and Spanish
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Community forum
API
Workpuls Hubstaff Toggl TimeDoctor Harvest TimeCamp Timely Everhour Tick TMetric
OVERVIEW
Price (per month) $6 per user $5.83 per user $9 per user $9.99 per user $10.80 per user $5.25 per user $99 for 5 users $7 per user $19 for 10 projects $5 per user
Free trial 7 days 14 days 30 days 14 days 30 days Yes 14 days 14 days 30 days 30 days
Ease of use Very easy Difficult Difficult Very easy Easy Very easy Easy Difficult Very easy Difficult
TIME TRACKING METHODS
Manual
Start/stop buttons
Automatic time mapping
IN-DEPTH TASK AND PROJECT ANALYSIS
Screenshots
App and website usage
Activity levels coming soon
Real-time tracking
TASK AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project adding
Project templates
Project status
Task assignment
Task priorities
Budgeting coming soon
Mark billable/non-billable hours
Payroll calculation
Invoicing
ALERTS
Idle time reminders
Deadline alerts coming soon
Budget alerts coming soon
REPORTING
Client login
Productivity analysis
Email reports coming soon
PLATFORMS
Web
Mac desktop app
Windows desktop app
Linux desktop app coming soon
iOS app Beta
Android app
Browser extension Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome Chrome, Firefox Chrome Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge
OTHER
Support Phone and online Email and online Email and online Online Online, email and phone Email, online and support ticket Email and chat Email and chat Email Chat
Knowledge base
Video tutorials
Integrations coming soon
API
On-premise hosting
We’ve reserved a 7-day free trial for you….

Want your hybrid or remote team to be more productive?

Claim your free 7-Day full feature trial of Insightful today. Insightful’s actionable work insights make your team more productive, efficient and accountable.

Ready to Take Full Control Of Your Workplace?

Try the simplest solution today…

Start Free Trial
Business Management

How to Use Burndown Charts to Boost Productivity

Written by
Marjorie Hajim
Published on
June 23, 2021

Project management in today’s climate is tough. Spinning all the plates necessary to deliver for your client was already a difficult enough task. But now, with everyone working remotely, it can feel like an impossible task. Optimizing remote team communication is something that many businesses will have wrestled with over the last twelve months. Luckily, the answer may be more simple than you first thought.


In order to keep on top of things when managing projects remotely, you'll need a quick and simple way to track progress. Whether you're launching a new product via a webinar, or onboarding new members of your team, making use of a device known as a burndown chart could be the answer to all your problems.


Well, not all your problems. You’re still going to have to understand the client's needs, put the work in, delegate tasks, overcome unforeseen obstacles along the way, and so on. Decent employee monitoring software can definitely help with a lot of this.


However, while burndown charts can’t necessarily fix everything, they can make a huge difference. They allow everyone you work with to see how much progress has been made, as well as how much more there is to go, keeping you on the right track.

What Are Burndown Charts?

By now, you’re probably wondering what we mean when we talk about “burndown charts”. So, let’s begin with the basics.


Burndown Charts are a device used as part of a wider project management strategy. They aren’t something that will be a one-stop-shop for all of your time-keeping or task-based goals. But, when integrated correctly, they can provide a useful illustration on how you, your team, or your business is performing.


They operate by showing the most effective way to complete a task from start to finish. With story points plotted down the “Y” axis and timescale plotted across the “X” axis, they are a neat, simple tool that allows you to keep track of your operational goals.


burndown chart
Example of the different data that can be incorporated on a burndown chart (Source: backlog.com)


In a time when many businesses have had to operate in a remote manner - for example, using a conference call instead of a morning scrum - having a tool that can show whether you’re on track is beneficial.


The particular way of working which is best suited to the use of burndown charts is something called “Agile” working. If you’re unfamiliar with this, a common description is a form of work that eradicates conventional boundaries, with the commonly-used tagline “anytime, any place, anywhere”. 


But, as The Agile Organisation approach is keen to point out, there is a little more to it than just providing fluidity for colleagues with remote working and flexible hours. It speaks to a different approach to the work itself, encouraging innovation and building a more cooperative and communal experience for all involved. Burndown charts fit into this ethos by providing information openly, and meaning everyone in a team knows exactly what’s going on.

The Benefits of Using Burndown Charts

Now that we’ve looked at what burndown charts are, let’s investigate some of their benefits. 


Accessible information

The most obvious benefit that burndown charts offer is that they are visual. Instead of having to wade through a lot of text to find out whether your project remains on track, burndown charts show things in a way that everyone should be able to interpret. It’s easy to tell if you’re keeping pace, moving quicker than expected, or falling behind. It’s also a great way to build trust between your team and management, reducing micromanagement and helping employees feel empowered in their own work.

Improved consistency

When introduced at the start of the project, burndown charts offer a great way to ensure that the targets remain consistent. This allows you to avoid having days where multiple parts of the project come to a head, and can distribute deadlines more effectively. This steadier approach cuts out any fluctuation, and is a great way to boost your productivity, as no one ever feels overwhelmed.

Easy to spot issues

On the occasion that things do go wrong, incorporating burndown charts into your strategy can help. Not only can they highlight the success of a team that is moving ahead of schedule, they can also flag up where productivity has taken a step back. When used alongside time tracking software, it can help to draw attention to the causes of this fall-off. Having this analysis, and using it to identify an issue before it gets out of control, is always going to be a welcome tool to have.



burndown
Burndown chart where “Actual Effort” shows that problems struck on days 4 and 5. (Source: visual-paradigm.com)


Having outlined the benefits of using burndown charts, let’s see how they actually allow for increased productivity. 

How Burndown Charts Can Improve Productivity

Nearly 80% of companies have adopted an agile strategy, meaning we won’t be seeing the back of it any time soon. Combined with cloud-based working, it increases the level of flexibility in an operation. Add in the rise of Anything as a Service (XaaS), and it’s easy to see how many teams are likely to work remotely - or at least, opt into a hybrid work model.


With this in mind, burndown charts can be a simple way of integrating some structure into your operation, engaging remote employees, and keeping everyone on the same page.



graphic about burndown charts
Graphic that shows 78% of businesses either have or are considering the implementation of agile working. (Source: stateofagile.com)

Of course, just because they provide structure doesn’t mean that burndown charts are incapable of being flexible. The ability to customise these charts means that, should a client ask for something to be changed during a project, this can be easily handled. 


Similarly, if you want to see how your colleagues compete with automated processes, you can easily keep track of how these processes impact your milestones on a burndown chart.

Potential Drawbacks

As with any change to operations, introducing burndown charts can have some drawbacks. Whilst they do highlight when productivity has been either ahead of or behind schedule, they aren’t able to illustrate any causality. 


This makes communication between all team members - especially when using group chats, group calls, or a virtual switchboard - vital. There’s no point in falling behind on progress if you don’t learn something from it.


Similarly, the data it illustrates is only as good as the person, or persons, who are updating it. It is integral that the data introduced onto the burndown charts is accurate, and hasn’t been falsified in any way. It may make a team, or a colleague, look better or worse than they actually are, which helps no one. 


It’s important not to treat burndown charts as a comprehensive method of project management on their own. They are most effective when used alongside other methods - such as a Gantt Chart or a Kanban board. This means that it is often not a simple case of just introducing burndown charts to your way of working - you may need to make broader changes to your methods.




kanban board
An example of a Kanban Board that could be used alongside a burndown chart. (Source: kanbanflow.com)


While burndown charts are flexible, they don’t have space to account for a backlog of tasks that a team may be experiencing. They also can’t always say which specific tasks have been completed, instead, showing a more general overview. For this, you may need additional strategies.

Conclusion

The digital industry is constantly changing. It will evolve today in ways that seemed unthinkable a year ago, and that pattern will continue for a very long time. Whether it’s updates to digital content protection, brand new project management strategies, or something we can’t even begin to expect, one thing we can count on is change


The last year has been revolutionary for business all around the world. The changes made are so dramatic that, pre-COVID, they would have been hard to fathom. Luckily, introducing something as simple as a burndown chart into your operations really can make all the difference - ensuring you and your team remain as productive as possible.