What Is an Information Radiator in Agile?

What is an Information Radiator in Agile?

We typically think of radiators as items that emit some form of heat, light, or sound. When it comes to Agile information radiators, the idea is much the same, but information is being emitted. The goal of an information radiator is to highlight data in an easily digestible format.

The term ‘information radiator’ is attributed to Alistair Cockburn, one of the signatories of the Agile Manifesto. It is also known as a Big Visible Chart (BVC). To boost visibility, Agile teams place their information radiators in an easily accessible location. Think of it as a noticeboard outside a school assembly hall — it is placed where there will typically be plenty of footfall, so students and teachers are more likely to view important announcements. An Agile information radiator functions in a similar way: to highlight key information to Agile team members, project stakeholders, and other interested parties.

An information radiator is not a static item — it shows a team’s progress as it moves through an Agile project, so it will change regularly to incorporate updates. 

According to the Agile Alliance, an information radiator can include ”handwritten, drawn, printed, or electronic displays.” Burndown charts and velocity charts are two of the most commonly used reporting tools. 

When using information radiators, Agile teams can align them with their chosen project management framework, such as Kanban or Scrum.

Kanban board vs. Scrum board

A Kanban board is perhaps the most well-known example of an information radiator. It places cards or sticky notes into separate columns to denote project progress. For example, the left-hand column could be ‘Planned,’ the middle column could be ‘In Progress,’ and the right-hand column could be ‘Completed.’ 

Scrum boards can include similar progress columns but work in more timeboxed periods known as sprints. They also identify defined team roles, such as product owner and Scrum master. 

Information radiator vs. information refrigerator

An information refrigerator is the exact opposite of an information radiator. In a refrigerator, you have to root around to find what you are looking for. The information will be stored somewhere, but, unlike an information radiator, it is not instantly visible. Extra effort is required to find items that may be hidden at the back. In information radiators, Agile project data is always front and center.