In the context of agile, a heat map is a visual tool that provides insights into the distribution of time spent in different workflow states for a specific attribute. Using colors, the heat map graphically represents the cumulative number of days spent in each state. This allows agile teams to quickly identify patterns and bottlenecks in their processes, enabling them to take proactive measures to optimize their workflow and improve efficiency. By leveraging the heat map chart in tools like ActionableAgile, teams can make data-driven decisions to enhance their agile practices and drive continuous improvement.