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Templates · Agile & Scrum

Free Product Backlog Template (Google Sheets, Excel, PDF)

A product backlog template gives your Scrum Team a single ordered list of everything needed to improve the product, with descriptions, value, estimates and status, ready for refinement and Sprint Planning.

Written byProject management editorial team
  • Published
  • Google Sheets · Excel · PDF
product backlog template

Free download · no sign-up

Get the product backlog template

Pick your level and format: Google Sheets, Excel or a print-ready PDF. Spreadsheets include dropdowns, formulas and sample rows you can overwrite.

Beginner

Essential columns only, one tab. Quick to fill in.

1 tab · 5 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
AdvancedMost popular

The full template with every tab, dropdowns and formulas.

1 tab · 9 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
Expert

Adds a live dashboard, instructions, revision history and status colours.

1 data tab + instructions, dashboard and revision history

GSheetsXExcelPPDF

Product Backlog Template preview

Product Backlog
OrderIDItem / user storyTypeValue (1-10)Estimate (points)Ready?SprintStatus
1PB-101As a customer, I can reset my password by emailStory95Yes14In progress
2PB-102As a customer, I can download invoices as PDFStory83Yes14Not started
3PB-110Fix timeout on invoice searchBug72YesNot started
4PB-115Spike: evaluate search librarySpike63YesNot started
5PB-120As an admin, I can export user listsStory58NoNot started
6PB-130Upgrade logging frameworkTech debt45NoNot started

Sample rows are examples: replace them with your own.

What's included

  • Ordered items with ID, description, type, value, estimate, readiness, Sprint and status
  • Product Backlog: Order, ID, Item / user story, Type, Value (1-10), Estimate (points), Ready?, Sprint, Status

How to use the product backlog template

  1. Add every known item: stories, bugs, spikes and technical debt.
  2. Order the list by value, risk and dependencies; the Product Owner decides the order.
  3. Refine top items with the team and estimate them; see backlog refinement.
  4. Mark items Ready when they meet your readiness checklist.
  5. Pull ready items into Sprint Planning.

Tips for getting the most from it

  • Keep only the top items detailed.
  • Remove items that no longer add value.
  • Make the Product Goal visible above the backlog.
  • Use user stories for clarity.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

What is a product backlog template?

A product backlog template is an ordered list of everything needed to improve a product, with descriptions, value, estimates and status.

Is this product backlog template free?

Yes. The product backlog template is free in Google Sheets, Excel and PDF.

Who owns the product backlog template?

The Product Owner is accountable for the Product Backlog, including its order.

What should a product backlog template include?

Order, ID, description or user story, type, value, estimate, readiness, target Sprint and status.

How is a product backlog template ordered?

By value, risk, dependencies and learning needs, as decided by the Product Owner.

What is the difference between a product backlog template and a sprint backlog?

The product backlog lists all future work; the sprint backlog is the subset chosen for the current Sprint.

Can I use the product backlog template in Excel?

Yes. The .xlsx product backlog template has dropdowns for type and readiness.

How often should the product backlog template be refined?

Continuously; many teams spend up to 10% of each Sprint on refinement.

Can bugs go in the product backlog template?

Yes. Bugs, spikes and technical debt belong in the same product backlog.

When should I move from a product backlog template to a tool?

When several teams share a backlog or you need integrations, use a tool such as Jira or Wrike.

What is the difference between the beginner, advanced and expert product backlog template?

The beginner product backlog template keeps only the essential columns on one tab; the advanced version is the full template with every tab, dropdown and formula; the expert version adds a live dashboard, instructions, revision history and status colours.