Delivery Velocity

This visual tracks the balance between new work coming in and work being completed. When the two lines run close together, the team is keeping up. When creation consistently outpaces resolution, backlog pressure is building — even if no one has noticed yet.

It is one of the most actionable leading indicators available to an operations manager. Unlike backlog size, which is a lagging metric, this chart shows the direction of travel in real time.

What you can conclude

• A persistent gap where creation exceeds resolution is an early warning signal — address it before it becomes a resourcing crisis.
• Periods where resolution exceeds creation indicate focused delivery effort — often healthy, but check whether it is sustainable.
• Convergence of both lines over time suggests a well-balanced team operating at a steady cadence.

How this chart works

Dual-line chart showing issues created vs. issues resolved over time. The gap between the two lines represents the net change in backlog size for the selected period.

Use the date filter to focus on a specific sprint, quarter, or release cycle. The chart works best when viewed over a period of at least 4 weeks.