55 Free Project Management Templates

Most popular templates

These are the templates project teams download most often. Each one links to a page with a live preview, step-by-step instructions, a worked example and the download buttons.

Business Plan TemplateFree business plan template with guided sections, a one-page summary and 3-year financial…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Plan TemplateFree project plan template with goals, scope, deliverables, tasks, owners, dates and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Proposal TemplateFree project proposal template: problem, proposed solution, objectives, scope, timeline,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertContent Calendar TemplateFree content calendar template for blogs, social media and email: dates, channels,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertTo-Do List TemplateFree to-do list template with priority, due date, category and status, plus a weekly…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertBusiness Requirements Document (BRD) TemplateFree business requirements document template: objectives, scope, stakeholders,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Tracker TemplateFree project tracker template to track tasks, owners, deadlines, priority, status and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Schedule TemplateFree project schedule template with tasks, durations, dependencies, start and end dates,…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

What is a project management template?

A project management template is a ready-made, pre-structured document, such as a spreadsheet or form, that you copy and fill in to plan, track or report on a project. It gives you the right headings, columns and formulas in advance, so you spend your time on the content of the project rather than on designing the document, and every project records the same information in the same way.

Templates do not replace project management judgement. A risk register template will not identify your risks, and a Gantt chart template will not tell you how long tasks take. What they do is make sure you ask the right questions, keep information in one consistent place and can show stakeholders a familiar format. For the method behind each document, our project management guide explains the processes the templates support.

Choose your version: beginner, advanced or expert

Every template on this site comes in three versions, so you can match the document to the size of the project and the experience of the people filling it in.

All three versions are available as a Google Sheet, an Excel file and a print-ready PDF. Choose the spreadsheet formats when the document will change during the project, and the PDF when you want to fill it in by hand in a workshop or attach a fixed copy to a report.

Templates for each phase of a project

Most project management frameworks, including PMI's process groups and PRINCE2's stages, describe a project moving from initiation through planning, execution and control to closure. This table shows which of our templates you will typically use in each phase.

Agile teams use a different rhythm: a product backlog and product roadmap for direction, then a sprint planning template, a Kanban board and a sprint retrospective template in every Sprint.

All 55 templates by category

Every template is listed below, grouped into seven categories and ordered by popularity within each group. Use the search box above to filter by name, for example "Gantt", "RACI" or "budget".

Project planning templates

Project Plan TemplateFree project plan template with goals, scope, deliverables, tasks, owners, dates and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Tracker TemplateFree project tracker template to track tasks, owners, deadlines, priority, status and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Schedule TemplateFree project schedule template with tasks, durations, dependencies, start and end dates,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertWork Breakdown Structure (WBS) TemplateFree work breakdown structure template with WBS codes, levels, deliverables, owners,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertAction Plan TemplateFree action plan template with goal, actions, owners, deadlines, resources, success…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Charter TemplateFree project charter template covering purpose, objectives, scope, milestones, budget,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Brief TemplateFree project brief template for a one-page project overview: background, goals, audience,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertGantt Chart TemplateFree Gantt chart template: tasks, owners, dates and a week-by-week timeline you fill in.…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertRACI Matrix TemplateFree RACI matrix template to map who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertWorkflow TemplateFree workflow template to map business process steps, owners, inputs, outputs, tools,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Deliverables TemplateFree project deliverables template to list each deliverable with owner, due date,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertWork Package TemplateFree work package template: scope, deliverables, tasks, owner, effort, cost, dates,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertLessons Learned TemplateFree lessons learned template to capture what went well, what didn't, root causes and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertCritical Path TemplateFree critical path method template: activities, durations, predecessors, early and late…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertCommunication Plan TemplateFree project communication plan template: audience, information, channel, frequency,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertRAID Log TemplateFree RAID log template to track project Risks, Assumptions, Issues and Dependencies with…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Scope Statement TemplateFree project scope template: objectives, deliverables, in scope, out of scope, acceptance…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertChange Request TemplateFree change request template and change control log: description, reason, impact on…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertRisk Register TemplateFree risk register and risk assessment template with probability, impact, auto-calculated…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

Agile & Scrum templates

Kanban Board TemplateFree Kanban board template with To Do, In Progress, Review and Done columns, WIP limits…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertSprint Planning TemplateFree sprint planning template with Sprint Goal, capacity, selected backlog items, story…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProduct Roadmap TemplateFree product roadmap template with themes, initiatives, quarters, owners and status; also…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertSprint Retrospective TemplateFree sprint retrospective template: what went well, what to improve, ideas and action…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertUser Story TemplateFree user story template: As a / I want / so that, acceptance criteria, epic, estimate…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertAgile Project Plan TemplateFree agile project plan template: vision, goals, team, epics by Sprint, releases and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertAgile Release Plan TemplateFree agile release plan template: releases, Sprints, features, story points, velocity…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProduct Backlog TemplateFree product backlog template with ordered items, user stories, value, estimates, Sprint…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

Meetings & productivity templates

To-Do List TemplateFree to-do list template with priority, due date, category and status, plus a weekly…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertMeeting Notes TemplateFree meeting notes template with attendees, discussion, decisions and action items with…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertMeeting Agenda TemplateFree meeting agenda template with objective, timed items, owners, outcomes and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertEvent Planning TemplateFree event planning template with task checklist, timeline, owners, budget tracker and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertWork Request Form TemplateFree work request template: intake form, request log, priority, due date, owner and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertPriority List TemplateFree priority list template that scores tasks by importance and urgency and sorts them…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

Business & strategy templates

Business Plan TemplateFree business plan template with guided sections, a one-page summary and 3-year financial…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Proposal TemplateFree project proposal template: problem, proposed solution, objectives, scope, timeline,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertOKR TemplateFree OKR template to set objectives and key results, track progress and score them each…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertExecutive Summary TemplateFree executive summary template for business plans, proposals and project reports:…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertCompetitor Analysis TemplateFree competitor analysis template comparing rivals on product, pricing, audience,…Beginner · Advanced · Expert5-Year Plan TemplateFree 5-year plan template for strategic planning: vision, goals by year, key initiatives,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertTraining Plan TemplateFree employee training plan template: skills needed, training activities, delivery…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertBusiness Case TemplateFree business case template: problem, options, costs, benefits, ROI, payback, risks and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertSkills Matrix TemplateFree skills matrix template to rate team members' skills from 0 to 4, spot gaps and plan…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

Marketing templates

Content Calendar TemplateFree content calendar template for blogs, social media and email: dates, channels,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertMarketing Campaign Plan TemplateFree marketing campaign template: goal, audience, message, channels, tactics, budget,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertMarketing Plan TemplateFree marketing plan template: goals, audience, positioning, channel strategy, budget,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertGo-to-Market Plan TemplateFree go-to-market plan template: target market, positioning, pricing, channels, launch…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertCreative Brief TemplateFree creative brief template: objective, audience, key message, tone, deliverables,…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

Requirements & analysis templates

Business Requirements Document (BRD) TemplateFree business requirements document template: objectives, scope, stakeholders,…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertGap Analysis TemplateFree gap analysis template comparing current and future state, scoring each gap and…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertRoot Cause Analysis (5 Whys) TemplateFree root cause analysis template using the 5 whys: problem statement, why chain, root…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProblem Statement TemplateFree problem statement template: who is affected, what, where and when, impact, evidence,…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

Finance & estimating templates

Request for Quote (RFQ) TemplateFree RFQ template (request for quotation): requirements, quantities, terms, submission…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProject Cost Estimate TemplateFree project cost estimate template: labour, materials, equipment and other costs by work…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertBudget TemplateFree budget template with monthly planned vs actual spend, variance and totals for…Beginner · Advanced · ExpertProfit and Loss Statement TemplateFree profit and loss statement template: revenue, cost of sales, gross profit, operating…Beginner · Advanced · Expert

The essential starter kit

You do not need all 55 templates on one project. For a typical project, these five documents cover most of what sponsors, team members and auditors expect to see:

1. Project charter: authorises the project and records its purpose, objectives, high-level scope, milestones, budget and sponsor. Read our project charter guide for what to include.
2. Project plan or project schedule: the plan sets out goals, scope, deliverables, owners and dates; the schedule focuses on tasks, durations and dependencies. Smaller projects can use one; larger projects usually need both.
3. RACI matrix: makes it clear who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed for each deliverable or decision, which prevents gaps and duplicated effort.
4. Risk register: lists each risk with its probability, impact, owner and response, so risks are managed rather than discovered.
5. Project tracker: the working list of tasks, owners, deadlines, priority and status that the team updates every week.

Add a communication plan, a budget and a change request form as the project grows, and finish with a lessons learned review.

Templates for common situations

If you are looking for a template for a specific job, start here:

• Planning a schedule with dependencies: the Gantt chart template for a visual week-by-week timeline, and the critical path template to calculate early and late dates and find the activities that drive the end date.
• Breaking down the work: the work breakdown structure template for the hierarchy of deliverables, then the work package template to define each package's scope, effort and cost.
• Estimating and controlling cost: the project cost estimate template to build the estimate by work package, and the budget template to track planned against actual spend each month.
• Running Scrum: the user story template, sprint planning template, agile release plan and agile project plan.
• Meetings that lead to action: a meeting agenda with timed items, meeting notes that capture decisions and actions, and a to-do list or priority list for follow-up.
• Strategy and goals: the OKR template, 5-year plan, business plan and competitor analysis.
• Marketing projects: the content calendar, marketing campaign plan, go-to-market plan and creative brief.
• Analysing a problem: the root cause analysis (5 Whys) template, gap analysis template and business requirements document.

How to use a project management template

A template saves time only if it is set up and kept up to date. This is the process we recommend:

1. Pick the right document for the decision. Ask what question the document must answer ("Who approves this?", "What could go wrong?", "When will we finish?") and choose the template that answers it.
2. Choose the version and format. Beginner for a quick one-off, Advanced for most projects, Expert when you report to a sponsor or PMO. Use Google Sheets when several people will edit it, Excel if your organisation works in Microsoft 365, and PDF for printing.
3. Make your own copy first. Use the Google Sheets button to copy the template into your Drive, or download the .xlsx file. Keep the original untouched so you can reuse it.
4. Tailor it before you fill it in. Rename columns to your organisation's terms, delete what you will not use and edit the dropdown lists, such as status values or risk categories, so everyone uses the same options.
5. Fill it in with the people who do the work. A schedule or risk register written alone by the project manager is usually wrong. Run a short workshop and complete the document together.
6. Agree an owner and an update rhythm. Decide who updates each document and how often: a tracker weekly, a risk register at every status meeting, a RAID log whenever something changes.
7. Save the finished version as your organisation's template. After the project, add what you learned, so the next project starts from a better document.

Common mistakes with project templates

• Filling in every field because it is there. Templates are a checklist, not a test. Leave out sections that do not apply to a small project.
• Creating the document and never updating it. A risk register or tracker that is three weeks out of date is worse than none, because people trust it.
• Using different templates on every project. Standard templates let a PMO compare projects and let people move between teams without relearning the paperwork.
• Confusing similar documents. A project charter authorises the project; a project plan explains how it will be delivered; a project brief is a short summary for stakeholders. A RAID log covers risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies together, while a risk register covers risks in more depth.
• Keeping the spreadsheet when it no longer fits. If several people are overwriting each other's changes or you are copying data between files every week, it is time to move to software.

Templates or project management software?

Spreadsheet templates are ideal for small and medium projects, for one-off documents such as a charter or business case, and for teams that already work in Excel or Google Sheets. They are free, flexible and easy to share.

Project management software becomes the better choice when many people need to update the same plan at once, when you run several projects that share people, or when you need automatic dependencies, workload views, approvals and dashboards that update themselves. In our independent ranking, Wrike is our top pick for teams that want projects, resources, portfolios, approvals and reporting in one platform, while Trello and Asana are easy first steps up from a spreadsheet. Many tools also let you import a spreadsheet, so a well-structured template makes the move easier.

How we build our templates

Each template is written by the Neural Project Institute editorial team and follows widely used project management practice, for example the RACI roles, the RAID categories and the critical path calculation of early and late dates. Each template page explains the document, shows a live preview of the first tab, lists every tab and column, and gives a worked example and tips. Templates are free to edit and use in your own work, including commercial projects; please do not resell the templates themselves.

Frequently asked questions