Scrum guide · Artifacts and practices
Scrum Boards: How to Set Up and Use One
A Scrum board makes the Sprint Backlog visible. It shows every item and task in the current Sprint and where each one is, so the team can coordinate at a glance.
Key takeaways
- A Scrum board visualises the Sprint Backlog.
- Update it daily and show the Sprint Goal.
- It resets each Sprint, unlike a Kanban board.
Typical columns
| Column | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sprint Backlog / To do | Selected for the Sprint, not started |
| In progress | Being worked on |
| Review / Test | Being checked |
| Done | Meets the Definition of Done |
What goes on a Scrum card
- Item title, ideally as a user story.
- Story point estimate.
- Acceptance criteria or a link to them.
- Owner of current tasks.
- Blocker marker when stuck.
Using the board
- Set it up at Sprint Planning.
- Update it during the Daily Scrum.
- Display the Sprint Goal at the top.
- Add a burndown chart next to it.
- Clear it at the end of the Sprint; unfinished items return to the Product Backlog.
Scrum board vs Kanban board
| Scrum board | Kanban board | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | One Sprint | Persistent |
| Limits | Sprint scope | WIP limits per column |
| Changes | Avoid changes that endanger the Sprint Goal | New items can be pulled any time |
See Kanban boards.
Free templates for this topic
Frequently asked questions
Do Scrum teams need a Scrum board?
The Scrum Guide doesn't require one, but a board is the simplest way to make the Sprint Backlog transparent.
Can a Scrum board have WIP limits?
Yes. Many teams add WIP limits to improve flow within the Sprint.
What is a Scrum board?
A visual board showing the items and tasks in the current Sprint and their status, making the Sprint Backlog transparent.
What columns should a Scrum board have?
A simple board has To do, In progress and Done. Many teams add Review or Test, matching how their work actually flows.
Who updates the Scrum board?
The Developers, as they work and during the Daily Scrum.
Is a Scrum board the same as a Kanban board?
They look similar, but a Scrum board shows one Sprint and resets each Sprint, while a Kanban board is persistent and uses WIP limits. See Kanban boards.
Should the Scrum board show the Sprint Goal?
Yes. Displaying the Sprint Goal keeps the team focused on the objective rather than just a list of tasks.
Is a task board the same as a Scrum board?
Yes, task board is another name for a Scrum board, usually one where each Product Backlog item is broken into tasks that move across the columns.
Should we use a physical or digital Scrum board?
Physical boards work well for co-located teams and encourage conversation. Digital boards suit remote teams and produce reports automatically.
Can several Scrum Teams share one Scrum board?
Teams sharing a product can use a shared view for dependencies, but each team usually needs its own board for its own Sprint Backlog.
What tools offer Scrum boards?
Jira, Azure DevOps, ClickUp, Asana, Wrike, monday.com, Trello and many others. See Scrum software tools and our tool comparisons.