📊 CORE KPI: CFD – Cumulative Flow Diagram
This article explains the structure, calculation, and interaction options of the Core KPI Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD). Its purpose is to provide a transparent overview of process performance and progress over time.
🔍 Contents
- What does the CFD show?
- Where can I find this KPI?
- How do I read the diagram?
- What do the colors and values mean?
- Formula & Calculation steps
- Data sources
- Update frequency
- Aggregation rules
- Example
- FAQ
✅ What does the CFD show?
The CFD visualizes the number of tasks in each process phase over a selected time period. It shows:
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How many tasks are currently in progress (WIP – Work in Progress)
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How many tasks have been completed (Completed Items)
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How long the average processing takes (Average Lead Time)
These values are also available as sub-KPIs.
📍 Where can I find this KPI?
The KPI “Cumulative Flow Diagram + (Process Board Name)” is automatically created when a new process board is added via Team Administration.
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Visible in Team Administration under “Available KPIs”
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Displayed as a small/medium KPI tile or in the detailed view
📈 How do I read the diagram?
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WIP (Work in Progress): Number of active items currently in process
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Lead Time: Average time between actual start and actual end (start day included)
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Completed Items: Cumulative number of completed or archived tasks during the time period
🎨 What do the colors and values mean?
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Each process phase is assigned a distinct color
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The areas in the CFD are stacked — the higher the area, the more tasks in that phase
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Deleted phases remain visible in the diagram history but are not shown in the legend
Units & Formats:
| KPI | Format |
|---|---|
| WIP / Completed | Count (Integer) |
| Lead Time | Time (Decimal, 1 digit) |
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Time unit adapts dynamically:
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[d]= days -
[w]= weeks -
[m]= months -
[y]= years (depending on selected time range)
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🧮 Formula & Calculation Steps
WIP (Work in Progress)
Count of all items in process phases (excluding “completed” or “archived”) at a given time X.
Average Lead Time
Rolling average of all completed items within the selected time range.
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Formula:
(Actual End – Actual Start) + 1 day -
Time range adjustable in board settings
(Default: 10 days; Range: 1–30 days)
Completed Items
Sum of all completed or archived items in the selected period.
Range
Shows how long the current WIP would last assuming no new items enter the process.
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Formula:
(WIP×Days)÷Completed Items(\text{WIP} × \text{Days}) ÷ \text{Completed Items}(WIP×Days)÷Completed Items
Performance
Measures the average number of completed items per time unit.
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Formula:
Completed Items÷Days\text{Completed Items} ÷ \text{Days}Completed Items÷Days -
Unit:
[items/d],[items/w],[items/m], or[items/y]depending on time range
Tooltips & Legend
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Tooltips show values by date and phase
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Legend (bottom left): shows either Range or Performance (configurable)
🗃️ Data Sources
| Component | Source |
|---|---|
| System Source | Process board |
| Data Basis | Process activities / process cards |
| Filtered Items | All non-deleted process items |
🔁 Update Frequency
Real-time
→ The KPI updates immediately whenever a process activity changes (e.g., moving a card to a different phase).
📏 Aggregation Rules
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No aggregation across boards
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Each KPI is directly linked to a specific process board
🧾 Example
On the board "Process XY":
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5 tasks are currently in “In Progress”
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3 tasks were completed with lead times of 2, 3, and 5 days
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The rolling average lead time is 3.3 days
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The range is 10 days
(WIP: 5; Completed: 3; Time Range: 6 days)
❓ FAQ
What happens to deleted phases?
→ They remain visible in the diagram history but no longer appear in the legend.
Why do I see “N/A”?
→ No completed items or not enough data in the selected time range.
Can I change the time period?
→ Yes, via Quick Filter or Date Range Picker
Can I change the time unit for Lead Time?
→ No, it adapts automatically based on the selected period.
What triggers updates?
→ Any interaction with a process item (move, complete, archive).