WIP Run Chart

Overview

The X-axis is time; the Y-axis is how much work was in progress at each point. One line shows total WIP, and you can optionally split it into one line per field value.

Overview

FeatureDescription
WIP Over TimeA line showing in-progress volume across the period
Three WIP RulesStatus category, board middle columns, or an explicit status list
Five MeasuresWork item count, story points, story point estimate, original estimate hours, or any numeric custom field
WIP LimitsOptional max and min limits, with breach highlighting
TrendlineLinear or polynomial fit
Split by FieldOne line per value of a field - per assignee, per issue type, per component
Data Table ViewThe underlying per-interval numbers, exportable

How to Read the Chart

  • A rising line = you are starting work faster than you are finishing it. Cycle time will follow it upward
  • A flat line = start rate and finish rate are balanced. This is what a healthy team looks like
  • A sawtooth pattern = work is batched, usually to sprint boundaries; everything starts on day one and lands at the end
  • A line above your max limit = too many things open at once; expect context-switching and slow delivery
  • A line below your min limit = the team may be starved of ready work

Action pattern: Fix WIP before fixing cycle time. Cycle time is a symptom; WIP is usually the cause.

Data Sources

Projects, Board, Saved Filter, Custom JQL, and Dynamic Filter Controller.

Date Range

ModeWhat It Covers
Last N days (default, 30)A rolling window that moves forward on its own
Custom date rangeA fixed start and end date
Sprint datesA specific sprint's dates, or auto-follow the latest sprint
Release datesA release's start and release dates

Continue after end date extends the line past the end of the range when items are still open - useful for showing that a sprint's leftovers did not disappear at the sprint boundary.