Framework · 11
Burndown List
Shift from tasks to outcomes. A living document that proves total command of a piece of work, from outcome to by-when.
In performance culture, we emphasize ownership and complete work, which is most tangibly represented by a burndown list. Burndown lists are a crucial tool for shifting task-oriented work items into an outcome-focused approach, as they emphasize the desired result and are illustrated through clear outcome-driven statements.
A burndown list typically includes several elements:
- the intended outcome
- criteria for demonstrating completion aka ”demonstrated by”
- deadline aka “by when“
- comprehensive record of all tasks required
Burndown lists are living documents and tracks progress until complete work is reached. Each burndown list revolves around a specific outcome owned by one person, who is responsible for delegating tasks to a team
¶How It Works
¶Outcome
Intended objective or outcome
¶Demonstrated by
A clear target that answers what would unambiguously demonstrate that you have delivered on the intended outcome
¶By When
The time frame by which the burndown list should be completed, indicating that the outcome has been achieved.
¶Task Ledger
High
- Items that must get completed for the outcome to happen
Medium
- Items that should be completed in relation to the outcome
- In our experience, 50% of Medium items are completed during a burndown list
Low
- Items that come up during planning and building that would be nice to have
- Typically, low items are punted to a new outcome and a new burndown list
¶Example
Here’s an example of a burndown list created by a Director of Marketing for what seemed like a straightforward project: developing a way for team members to share positive customer feedback with one another.
This is what she produced in her initial version…
¶Outcome
Enable the team to surface positive feedback whenever they receive it from customers about CRS service to others at the company.
¶Demonstrated by
- A slack channel that anyone on our team who gets positive feedback can post freely
- Team understands what to post and how to post it via written instructions pinned to the channel
- Rollout of this channel to the company and they are freely posting on this channel every time we receive positive customer feedback
¶Outcome
Create a place for the team to surface positive feedback about CRS service independently whenever it is received from customers. By capturing and sharing the positive customer feedback internally, everyone gets a sense of the impact that they are making on customers.
¶Demonstrated by
- A slack channel that anyone on our team who gets positive feedback can post freely
- Team understands what to post and how to post it via written instructions pinned to the channel
- Rollout of this channel to the company and they are freely posting on this channel every time we receive positive customer feedback
¶By When
By July 4, 2025
¶Task Ledger
High
- Create a slack channel with a proper name ( USE: #customer- acknowledgments)
- Instruction for how to post an email compliment
- Instruction for how to post an video or audio compliment
Medium
- Rollout company notice to team of how this works
- Draft email message with clear details and instructions
- Speak with Sales – about building a pipeline of posts and timing them to generate momentum
- Speak with Laila/Customer Success about…
- Speak with Compliance about…
- Speak with IT about…
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