Backlog and sprints

Hinweis

The Backlogs module is getting a reset with OpenProject 17.3 release and will undergo further changes in the upcoming versions. We will keep updating the documentation over time to reflect these changes.

Working in agile project teams is becoming increasingly important, and with OpenProject, it is easier than ever.

OpenProject supports your work with the Agile and Scrum methodology by providing a variety of improved functionalities. You can now create and manage sprints, record and prioritize user stories in sprints and the backlog, use sprint boards or burndown-charts, print story cards, and much more. Weitere Informationen finden Sie auf der OpenProject Feature-Seite Agile and Scrum.

A Backlog is defined as a plugin that allows you to use the backlogs feature in OpenProject. In order to use backlogs in a project, the Backlogs module has to be activated in the project settings.

Please note that this user guide does not represent an introduction to Scrum methodology, but merely explains the Scrum-related functionalities and user instructions in OpenProject.

Backlogs module in OpenProject showing backlog items and multiple sprints with work packages

Manage the backlog

The Backlog is automatically populated based on the work packages in a project that are not yet in sprints. When you add a work package to a sprint, or close it, the work package will no longer be visible in the backlog.

When there are too many items in the Backlog, a Show more items link appears in the middle. This compacts the middle section so that you always see the top and the bottom of the backlog.

Backlog view with many items collapsed behind a “Show more items” link in the middle

Next to every work package listed in the backlog or sprint, you can access the More (three dots) menu, including the following options:

  • Open details view or fullscreen view of a work package. These options allow you to choose how much information (about the backlog item) you’d like to be displayed.
  • Copy the work package URL or ID to the clipboard.
  • Move a work package.

Backlog work package menu with options like details view, copy link, and move

Details view opens the work package information on the right side, the same way as in the notifications center.

Backlog item opened in details view on the right side panel

Opening the fullscreen view opens the work package in fullscreen.

Work package opened in fullscreen in OpenProject

With the Move option, you can order items according to your preference within the backlog or move them to a sprint. You can also drag and drop the work packages.

Move options menu for a backlog item showing reorder and sprint assignment options

Create and manage sprints

Wichtig

Starting with the OpenProject 17.3 release, Sprints are new objects no longer linked to versions (as was the case with previous OpenProject versions).

A Sprint is a planned and time-boxed period in which a Scrum team completes a defined set of tasks. They are containers or buckets where work packages can be manually added or removed from the Backlog via a drag-and-drop icon.

Create a sprint

To create a sprint, click the + Sprint button in the top right corner of the Backlogs module. This opens up a form for you to fill in details about the sprint name, start date, and completion date. The duration is automatically calculated. Click the Create button to proceed.

The naming of sprints is number-based by default (e.g. Sprint 1, Sprint 2). These names can be edited according to your team’s work rhythm.

Sprint creation form with fields for name, start date, and end date

Start or complete a sprint

Your sprint is set in motion by clicking the Start sprint button. Clicking it will open the sprint board.

Hinweis

A sprint cannot be started if another sprint is already in progress. In this case the button will be disabled.

Start sprint button in the Backlogs module interface

Once a sprint has started, it is considered active and can be managed through the Sprint menu options, which include:

  • Complete sprint
  • Edit sprint
  • Add work package
  • Open a Sprint board
  • Burndown-Diagramm

Sprint menu with options like edit sprint, add work package, board, and burndown chart

Add a work package

In order to create a new work package in the Backlogs module, click on the More (three dots) icon in the top right corner of a Sprint and choose + Add work package from the drop-down menu.

Es erscheint ein Formular-Dialog zum Erstellen eines neuen Arbeitspakets. Here, you directly specify the work package type, subject, and description. Klicken Sie auf Anlegen, um fortzufahren.

A new work package added to a sprint directly in OpenProject Backlogs module

Dem Backlog wird ein neuer Eintrag hinzugefügt, um die neu erstellte Story anzuzeigen.

Prioritize stories

You can prioritize different work packages within a backlog or sprint by either using the Move option or by dragging & dropping them. This allows you to assign work packages to a specific sprint, return to a backlog or re-order them within a sprint.

Story-Punkte

In einem Sprint können Sie den notwendigen Aufwand direkt als Story Points dokumentieren. The overall effort for a sprint is automatically calculated, and the sum of story points is displayed in the top row.

Story points are defined as numbers assigned to a work package used to estimate (relatively) the size of the work.

Story points assigned to work packages in a sprint in OpenProject backlogs module

You can edit story points directly from the backlogs view. In order to do so, simply click the work package you want to edit and make the desired changes in the detailed view of the work package that will open on the right.

Edit story points for a work package in the Backlogs module in OpenProject

Sprint boards

Sprint boards are especially helpful for teams to track and visualize progress from the start. When you click the Start sprint within the Backlog, a dedicated sprint board is automatically created and you are forwarded to the active sprint board.

Boards are named using this pattern: [Project name: Sprint name]. As an example: Scrum project: Sprint 1.

The sprint board inherits project permissions automatically, which means it is accessible to all project members by default.

Sprint board showing work packages organized in columns to track progress

Hinweis

The sprint board and burndown chart are only visible on the menu when a sprint is active.

Burndown charts

Burndown-Diagramme sind hilfreich, um den Fortschritt eines Sprints zu visualisieren. Mit OpenProject können Sie Sprint- und Task-Burndown-Charts automatisch generieren.

Tipp

As a precondition, the sprint’s start and end date must be defined and the information on story points should be well maintained.

Der Sprint-Burndown wird aus der Summe der geschätzten Story-Punkte berechnet. Wenn eine User Story auf “geschlossen” (oder einen anderen Status, der als geschlossen definiert ist (siehe Admin-Einstellungen)) gesetzt ist, zählt sie zu dem Burndown.

Der Aufgaben-Burndown errechnet sich aus der geschätzten Anzahl der Stunden, die zur Erledigung einer Aufgabe notwendig sind. Wenn eine Aufgabe auf “geschlossen” gesetzt wird, wird der Burndown angepasst.

Die verbleibenden Story-Punkte pro Sprint werden im Diagramm angezeigt. Optional kann auch das ideale Burndown-Diagramm als Referenz angezeigt werden. Der ideale Burndown geht von einer linearen Abarbeitung der Story Points vom Anfang bis zum Ende eines Sprints aus.

An example of a burndown chart in OpenProject