Burndown

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The process of tracking how tasks or work items are completed and decrease over the course of a project timeline
2. A method used to show the gradual completion of assigned tasks within a set period, reflecting progress and remaining effort
3. An approach to visually represent the diminishing amount of work left to finish in a project during its lifecycle

Etymology: "Burndown" is a deverbal noun, formed from the phrasal verb "burn down," meaning the word was derived from the verb rather than built directly from a noun. In the sense used in software development, it names a chart that tracks how much work remains in a project over time, with the remaining amount typically shown falling toward zero as tasks are completed. The term's likely inspiration is the image of a burning fuse, something shrinking steadily as it goes out. That picture fits the chart well: a line that slopes downward as the work is consumed, much like a fuse shortening toward its end. The connection is suggested rather than documented, so it is best read as a plausible explanation of the metaphor.

Synonyms: burnout