PMP · Question #721
A project manager for an agile project is concerned that the team has been losing momentum over the last iterations. Which two tools should the project manager use to analyze team performance?…
The correct answer is A. Burndown chart C. Cumulative flow diagram of completed features. To analyze an agile team's performance and address a loss of momentum, the project manager should utilize a burndown chart and a cumulative flow diagram.
Question
A project manager for an agile project is concerned that the team has been losing momentum over the last iterations. Which two tools should the project manager use to analyze team performance? (Choose two.)
Options
- ABurndown chart
- BProduct backlog burnup chart
- CCumulative flow diagram of completed features
- DWork breakdown structure (WBS)
- EProject schedule
How the community answered
(37 responses)- A78% (29)
- B14% (5)
- D5% (2)
- E3% (1)
Why each option
To analyze an agile team's performance and address a loss of momentum, the project manager should utilize a burndown chart and a cumulative flow diagram.
A burndown chart visually represents the remaining work in an iteration or project over time, allowing the project manager to quickly assess if the team is on track, falling behind, or losing momentum in their progress towards a goal.
While a product backlog burnup chart tracks completed work against total scope, a burndown chart (A) is generally more direct for monitoring progress and momentum within an iteration, and a CFD (C) is better for diagnosing flow issues.
A cumulative flow diagram (CFD) visualizes the flow of work through different stages over time, helping to identify bottlenecks, queues, and lead times. It effectively reveals where work might be accumulating or getting stuck, directly indicating a loss of momentum or efficiency.
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of project scope used in predictive methodologies, not a dynamic tool for analyzing agile team performance or momentum.
A traditional project schedule (e.g., Gantt chart) is a predictive planning tool and not typically used to track or diagnose the performance and momentum of an agile team in an iterative manner.
Concept tested: Agile Metrics, Team Performance Tracking
Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/devops/report/dashboards/cumulative-flow-cycle-lead-time-guidance?view=azure-devops
Topics
Community Discussion
4
Viktor S.Feb 3, 2026A and C are the right picks here. The burndown chart shows you whether the team is tracking behind across iterations, which directly flags losing momentum. The cumulative flow diagram of completed features gives you the visual on throughput, so you can see if the band of completed work is narrowing over time. D and E are plan-driven artifacts and do not belong in an agile performance analysis, so toss those immediately.
Ingrid P.Feb 17, 2026A and C are the right pair here because both give you visual trend data across iterations, which is exactly what you need when momentum is slipping. The burndown chart shows whether the team is consuming backlog at a sustainable rate, and the cumulative flow diagram of completed features gives you a broader picture of throughput and potential bottlenecks over time. D and E are plan-based artifacts that do not really track delivery momentum in an agile context, so they are distractors here. Worth a flashcard on the distinction between burnup and burndown, since the exam loves testing which one addresses remaining work
Ola B.Mar 1, 2026B for sure, the burnup shows scope and progress trends. Spin up a board and watch one.
Viktor S.Mar 4, 2026Actually it is A and C. A burndown tracks remaining work over time which is what the question is after, and C covers the complementary view. A burnup shows scope changes on top of progress, which is a different purpose, so B does not fit here.