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Templates · Agile & Scrum

Free Sprint Planning Template (Google Sheets, Excel, PDF)

A sprint planning template helps a Scrum Team agree a Sprint Goal, check capacity, select Product Backlog items and plan the first tasks, all in one view the team can use throughout the Sprint.

Written byProject management editorial team
  • Published
  • Google Sheets · Excel · PDF
sprint planning template

Free download · no sign-up

Get the sprint planning 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.

2 tabs · 7 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
Expert

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

2 data tabs + instructions, dashboard and revision history

GSheetsXExcelPPDF

Sprint Planning Template preview

Sprint plan
Backlog itemUser story / descriptionStory pointsOwnerTasksAcceptance criteriaStatus
PB-101As a customer, I can reset my password by email5AnaAPI endpoint; email template; testsReset link expires after 1 hourNot started
PB-102As a customer, I can download invoices as PDF3BenPDF service; download buttonPDF matches invoice dataNot started
PB-103As support, I can see a customer's last login2ChenAdmin view field; audit logShows date and time in local zoneNot started
PB-104Spike: evaluate search library3DanaPrototype two librariesRecommendation documentedNot started
Total13

Sample rows are examples: replace them with your own.

What's included

  • Sprint Backlog with stories, points, owners, tasks, acceptance criteria and status
  • Capacity calculator with focus factor
  • Sprint plan: Backlog item, User story / description, Story points, Owner, Tasks, Acceptance criteria, Status
  • Capacity: Team member, Available days, Focus factor, Capacity (days), Notes

How to use the sprint planning template

  1. Fill in the Capacity tab: available days per person and a realistic focus factor.
  2. Agree the Sprint Goal with the Product Owner.
  3. Select the top Product Backlog items that support the goal and fit the team's capacity and recent velocity.
  4. Break each item into tasks and confirm acceptance criteria.
  5. Use the Status column during the Sprint and review it at the Sprint Review.

Tips for getting the most from it

  • Plan to about 80% of capacity to leave room for the unexpected.
  • One clear Sprint Goal beats a list of unrelated items.
  • Bring refined items to planning; see backlog refinement.
  • Time-box planning to 8 hours for a one-month Sprint.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

What is a sprint planning template?

A sprint planning template is a worksheet for agreeing the Sprint Goal, checking team capacity and selecting the backlog items and tasks for a Sprint.

Is this sprint planning template free?

Yes. The sprint planning template is free in Google Sheets, Excel and PDF.

What should a sprint planning template include?

The Sprint Goal, team capacity, selected Product Backlog items, estimates, owners, tasks and acceptance criteria.

How do I calculate capacity in the sprint planning template?

Multiply each person's available days by a focus factor (often 0.6 to 0.8) and add them up.

Can I use the sprint planning template with story points?

Yes. Enter story points per item; the sprint planning template totals them so you can compare with past velocity.

Who uses the sprint planning template?

The whole Scrum Team: the Product Owner brings priorities, the Developers plan the work, and the Scrum Master facilitates.

How long should sprint planning take with this sprint planning template?

Up to eight hours for a one-month Sprint, and proportionally less for shorter Sprints.

Is there an agile sprint planning template in Excel?

Yes. Download the .xlsx agile sprint planning template with capacity formulas.

What is the difference between a sprint planning template and a sprint plan?

The sprint planning template is the tool; the completed sheet is your sprint plan, or Sprint Backlog.

Can the sprint planning template replace a Scrum tool?

For small teams, yes; larger teams usually use a Scrum board in software such as Jira or Wrike.

What is the difference between the beginner, advanced and expert sprint planning template?

The beginner sprint planning 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.