Quick Definition:
A Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) is a visual tool used in Kanban to track the number of work items in each stage of a process over time. It helps identify bottlenecks and visualize process stability.
Reading a CFD
A CFD shows the total number of items that have entered the process, the number currently in each stage (WIP), and the number that have been completed. Key insights include:
- WIP: The vertical distance between the top and bottom lines of a stage.
- Lead Time: The horizontal distance between the entry and exit lines of a stage.
- Bottlenecks: Indicated by a widening band for a specific stage.
Why Use It?
CFDs provide a wealth of information about process performance and predictability, allowing PMs to make data-driven improvements to their workflow.
