Tracking progress is hard. Traditional project management tools just don't capture what's really happening - especially the difference between figuring stuff out and actually executing the plan.

What is a Hill Chart?

Hill charts, created by Ryan Singer at Basecamp, show project progress as a journey over a hill. The uphill side is where you're figuring things out. The downhill side is where you're executing what you've figured out.

Here's what the hill really means:

1. Uphill (Figuring It Out): You're tackling unknowns, making decisions, and seeing if things are possible. Moving up means you're getting clarity.

2. The Top: You've figured out your approach and know what to do next.

3. Downhill (Doing the Work): You've got a clear plan and now you're executing. Progress here is more predictable.

Why Hill Charts Work Better

Most progress trackers just show "percent complete" - which is often a guess. Hill charts are different:

• They show uncertainty: Your team can point to where they're stuck or confused.
• They're honest: No more pretending we know exactly how complete something is.
• They lead to better conversations: Managers can quickly see which teams need help with the uphill battle.

Using Hill Charts With Your Team

Getting started is easy:

1. Break your project into manageable chunks
2. Put each chunk on the hill based on where it stands
3. Update regularly and talk about the items that aren't moving
4. Use what you see to make smarter decisions about timelines

They work great with Shape Up but fit with pretty much any development approach.

Conclusion

Hill charts match how work actually happens - moving from "we're figuring it out" to "we know what we're doing." By being honest about the exploration phase, your team communicates better and sets clearer expectations.

Hillia lets you use hill charts without needing all of Basecamp, giving your team a simple way to show and talk about progress.