In the first part of this series, we learned how to use the Agile features with right builds and client edition of MS Project 2019 software. We also explored basic functionalities while working with Sprints project. In this post, we will discuss the following.
- Renaming a Sprint
- Changing the Duration of Sprint(s)
- Populating Tasks in Sprints
- Sprint Planning Views
- Navigating across Sprints
- Customizing Sprint Board Cards
Again, do note that to work with Agile features, you must have the right release(s). Agile features work only with MS Project Online Desktop Client. We have seen it in earlier part of this series.
[ This series: Part - 1 ]
The renaming of Sprint can be done with Manage Sprints window, too. Select the Sprint you want to rename and give the name you want to have. Let’s say we want to rename the Sprint 5 as Hardening Sprint. This is shown below.
Next, click on the OK button in the Manage Sprints window/screen. Your renamed Sprint will be shown in the Sprint Planning Board view. The updated board is shown below.
7. Changing the Duration of Sprint(s)
You can change the length of a Sprint by selecting the Length field in the Sprint List of Manage Sprints window. Otherwise, while adding a Sprint, you can use the Duration field in the bottom-half the same window.
As shown above, I’ve changed the duration of Hardening Sprint (Sprint 5) from 2 weeks to 1 week.
8. Populating Tasks in Sprints
To add tasks into a Sprint, click on “+” sign under No Sprints column and enter the name of the task. The No Sprints column is actually the Product Backlog, which will contain all the items that you want to deliver in the Sprints. To delete a task, again click on the cross mark.
In our case, I’ve added 7 tasks and it comes as shown below. These are all listed under No Sprint column.
Next, you have to simply drag and drop the tasks into the respect Sprints you need. For our case, as shown below, I’ve moved the tasks across 4 Sprints.
To remove any task from a Sprint, you can simply drag it back to the No Sprint column. If you want to remove the task completely, then simply right click on the task and use Delete Task option. This is shown in the below.
9. Sprint Planning Views
The default view for Sprints project is the Sprint Planning Board view. In case you want to see the entire backlog in a tabular format, just switch to Sprint Planning Sheet view. To do so, go to:
Sprint tools – Sprints – Views – Planning – Sprint Planning Sheet.
This is shown below.
Next, the Sprint Planning Sheet view will be shown with the following details.
The Sprint Planning Sheet view has the information for all the sprints, except the Hardening Sprint. This is because we don’t have any task (yet) as part of this Sprint.
10. Navigating across Sprints
To navigate across Sprints, go to:
Sprint Tools – Sprints – Views – Sprint.
Next select the drop-down menu. All the Sprints, including Current Sprint will be shown. For the Current Sprint, you will have both the board and sheet views. This is shown below.
Next, I selected the current Sprint Board. Then, the view will come as shown below.
As shown above, the view used by MS Project 2019 is Current Sprint Board and it lists out the tasks to be executed in the current Sprint. The dates for the current Sprint are also noted on top. You can drag and drop the tasks across the columns when you start working on them.
11. Customizing Cards on the Sprint Board
To customize card on Sprint Boards (planning board or current sprint board or any other Sprint board), go to:
Task Board Tools – Format – Customize – Customize Cards.
This is shown in the below figure.
Next, click on Customize Cards icon and the Customize Task Board Cards window will show up. You can add up-to 5 fields to show on the cards, other than the base fields of Task ID, Resources, 100% completion checkmark.
As shown above, I’ve added three fields - % Work Complete, Start and Duration. Next, the Current Sprint Board with the customized cards are shown below. I’ve added a few resources to card by right clicking on the cards and using Assign Resources command. The filled up detailed in the cards will now come as shown below.
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As noted in the Part – 1 of this series, a number of features have been added for MS Project Agile features. I find the new features to be very helpful and useful. And I believe it will add a lot of value to project managers and project leaders working with MS Project software.
I have used this software for long and like the software for its high usability and simplicity. The new features, enhancements and fixes show that Microsoft Project Team is continuously working on this software and bringing more value for the users.
Great work again MS Project Team!
Videos Courses on MS Project Agile and Hybrid-Agile:
Videos Courses on MS Project:- MS Project 2016 Live Lessons - Guaranteed Learning or Your Money Back
- MS Project 2013 Live Lessons - Guaranteed Learning or Your Money Back
You may also like:
- Microsoft Project 2019 Agile Features (Part 1, Part - 2)
- Microsoft Project 2016 Brings New Agile Features
- Working with Multiple Baselines in MS Project
- 9 Ways to Check Critical Tasks in MS Project
- How to Create an Agile BurnUp Chart with MS Project (Part 1)
- How to Create an Agile BurnUp Chart with MS Project (Part 2)
- Agile Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD) with MS Project 2013/2016
- 'Formula Bar' and 'Entry Bar' - Two Different Functionalities in MS Project
- Five Important Tips - Setting Up MS Project 2013
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