Backlog Net Growth Trajectory(4.3.6)

A backlog that consistently grows faster than it is resolved is accumulating technical and delivery debt. A backlog that is shrinking — where more issues are resolved than created each week — indicates a team actively clearing its commitments. This visual tracks the weekly net change and cumulative trajectory so you can see the long-term direction of each project's backlog.

What you can conclude

• A project with a consistently positive net growth (more arriving than resolving) needs either scope control or capacity increase — the current pace is unsustainable.
• A project with negative net growth (resolving faster than arriving) is in a healthy debt-clearing phase.
• A project whose cumulative backlog is growing despite occasional good weeks has a structural imbalance that intermittent effort cannot fix.

How this chart works

Area chart showing weekly net backlog change (new issues minus resolved issues) per project, with a cumulative running total line. Use the date and project filters to focus on specific teams or periods.

The week in progress is shown at its value so far. Because the week is not yet complete, it is marked as still in progress and does not enter the trend comparison.