Explanation
According to the SAFe for Teams SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner handbook and study guide, a cumulative flow diagram (CFD) is a visual tool that shows the amount of work in each stage of a process over time. It helps teams monitor the flow of work, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency. A CFD provides the following information:
The total number of work items in the system (the height of the diagram) The number of work items in each stage of the process (the width of each band) The lead time for each work item (the horizontal distance from the left to the right edge of the diagram) The cycle time for each work item (the horizontal distance from one stage to another within the diagram) The throughput of the system (the slope of the diagram) The stability of the system (the smoothness of the diagram) By analyzing the CFD, teams can identify current bottlenecks, such as:
A large amount of work in progress (WIP), which indicates a high lead time and low throughput A wide band in a specific stage, which indicates a long cycle time and a potential impediment A steep or jagged slope, which indicates a high variability and unpredictability References: Exam Study Guide: SP (6.0) - SAFe Practitioner, SAFe for Teams - Know Your Role on an Agile Team, Cumulative Flow Diagram SAFe: Complete Guide