Final answer:
To create a burn down chart in Excel, input project data including tasks remaining and completed, then insert a line chart and edit it to show the actual versus the ideal burn down over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
To create a burn down chart in Excel, you will need to track the progress of a project against the expected rate of completion. Here are the steps to follow:
- Set up your project data in Excel with columns for 'Time Period', 'Tasks Outstanding at Start', 'Tasks Completed', and 'Tasks Remaining'.
- Create a new column to calculate the 'Ideal Burn Down', which typically starts with the total number of tasks and decreases linearly over time.
- Select your data and insert a line chart from the 'Insert' tab.
- Edit the line chart to have two series: the 'Tasks Remaining' as your actual burn down, and the 'Ideal Burn Down' as your baseline.
- Format the chart to improve readability by adding titles, adjusting the color scheme, and labeling axes.
Adjusting the chart as your project progresses, will provide a visual representation of where you are against where you should be.