Today, I want to dive into the power of the Aging Chart and how it can revolutionize your approach to product management. If you’re ready to see remarkable improvement in your flow metrics, let’s get into it!
Here is the thing:
We often assume the work will go exactly as planned, but the reality is that unexpected surprises are always going to happen.
That’s where the Aging Chart comes in—it’s your tool for keeping a pulse on your work and staying on track with your commitments.
Agile Teams use the Aging Chart by Nave to track their work in progress.
The Aging Chart is your guide to tracking current tasks in progress. It looks like your Kanban board, with each column representing a state in your workflow and showing how many days a task has been in progress.
Here’s the magic:
The colored zones on the chart give you a timeline of how long your completed tasks have spent in each process state.
The dark green zone shows the timeline for 30% of your completed work, light green for 50%, yellow for 70%, orange for 85%, and light red for 95%. If your tasks fall above the light red zone, they’re spending more time than 95% of your previous tasks did.
Let’s break it down with an example.
We recommend taking a closer look at the tasks that move to the yellow zone. These tasks have already spent more time in your process than half of the tasks completed so far. Explore your dashboard now →
If a task in the “Code Review” state is in the light green zone at 3 days, it’s on track because it’s taking less time than 50% of your previous work. But if you have a task in the “Testing” state that’s on the border between the yellow and orange zones, it’s taking longer than 70% of your previous work— it’s a trigger to start a conversation!
How the Aging Chart Improves Your Daily Meetings
So, what does this conversation look like?
Here’s where it gets practical. Incorporate the Aging Chart into your daily stand-ups. Use it to highlight tasks that are veering into the yellow, orange, or red zones. Discuss why these tasks are taking longer and what can be done to get them back on track. This proactive approach can help you avoid bottlenecks and ensure that your team is working on the most critical tasks.
For example, if you see a task in the “Testing (Done)” state that’s in the red zone, it’s been there longer than 85% of your previous tasks. Instead of starting new work, focus on moving this task forward. Perhaps it’s in a queue state, just waiting to be deployed. By prioritizing this task, you prevent it from accumulating more waiting time and keep your cycle times consistent.
The point?
By following this approach, you’ll start seeing improvements across all your metrics.
Without even being intentional about it, you’ll find that your delivery times become more predictable. Your team will be more focused, and you’ll spend less time in status report meetings trying to figure out what’s going on.
For instance, tools like Burnup and Burndown charts are great for seeing if you’re on schedule, but the Aging Chart goes a step further. It helps you understand the reasons behind any delays and allows you to take action to stick to your commitments.
Building Trust with Your Team
The Aging Chart isn’t just about staying on schedule; it’s about creating a supportive environment for your team.
It’s about building trust-driven teams.
By focusing on the flow of work and addressing bottlenecks as they arise, you foster an atmosphere of respect, and appreciation.
Your team knows that their efforts are valued and that you’re committed to their success.
Here is your action item: If you’re looking to build a stable delivery system and create an environment of trust and motivation, the Aging Chart is your go-to tool.
Start using it in your daily meetings, watch your metrics improve, and enjoy the benefits of a more predictable and efficient workflow.
Here is a link to get started right now →
Make sure to send me a note on LinkedIn with all the insights you’ve discovered. I want to hear from you, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Alright, my friend, that’s all for today. If you found this useful, share it with your fellow product managers.
Thank you for tuning in and I’ll see you next week same time and place for more managerial goodness. Have a fantastic day!
