Cumulative Flow based on story points

Question

We're new to using Kanban features in VS.  I can't figure out the cumulative flow report - it seems to be based the count of stories (not story points) but that would only make sense if all stories were the same size.  MS provides a story points field in the default configuration so I'm assuming there is a realization story sizes are not the same.  Is there a configuration for this we're missing?  

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi Kazoo, 

Thanks for your post.

Yes, the Cumulative Flow diagram based on the count of Backlog items(user stories), please refer to this document: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj838789.aspx.

Agile velocity chart and forecast tools reference the value in this story points field, for the velocity report, please refer to: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn283465.aspx.

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Answer 2

Hi Kazoo,  

If there’s anything misunderstood, please describe your question in more detail and we will try to provide the better responses.

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Answer 3

Thanks John, I really appreciate the response.

I understand from your answer that configuration is not the issue here.

I tried this scenario: 

1. 5 stories worth 1 point each are progressed through the board to completion over a week.
2. The next week 3 stories worth 3 points each are progressed through the board over the next week.

The Cumulative Flow report shows that team performance has decreased in the second week (flow rate is down), even though considerably more work was delivered.  

Is it just me or does anyone else find that incorrect?  demotivating for the team?

I totally get how this design would make sense if we were making coffee at Starbucks, or car parts (same story size).  Software story sizes just aren't the same however.  Am I missing something? 

Answer 4

Hi Kazoo,  

Thanks for your reply.

Do you mean that different sizes of User Story work items not show in your Cumulative Flow report? As far as I know the Story  Points field value not affect the User Story  work item shows in Cumulative Flow report, please share your Backlog page, Board page and Cumulative Flow report(s) screenshots here, that will help us provide the better response.

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Answer 5

No John.

Try my scenario.  Week 1 produces 5 points of work.  Week 2 produces 9 points of work.   

The Cumulative Flow report counts stories; 5 in week one, 3 in week two.  As a result of ignoring story points, week 2's performance is inferior to week 1 according to the Microsoft designed Cumulative flow report.

Since more work was clearly accomplished in week 2, we don't see this report as having any value for management and is demotivating to the team. 

Answer 6

Hi Kazoo,  

Thanks for your reply.

Please share your screenshot(s) here, I need to check which actual data display in your Cumulative Flow report, and tell us what your expect data result.

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Answer 7

Hi Kazoo,

Is there any update?

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Answer 8

Did anything every happen about this?  As a programme manager this kind of reporting is essential and is available in things like Jira.  

Normally I'd hope for a burn-up chart with extrapolation based on story points and average velocity.  

But assuming that's not coming, the Cumulative Flow but based on a sum of story points (i.e. effort) would work well enough.  This is fundamental stuff - does it still not exist?