Running projects efficiently can be tough when tasks pile up, deadlines overlap, and communication breaks down. That’s where the Agile method comes in. Agile helps teams work in small, focused periods called sprints to deliver results faster and stay flexible to changes.
If you are wondering how to run Agile sprints in your WordPress environment, this post will walk you through everything you need to know. WP Project Manager makes it easy to apply the Agile sprint method right inside your WordPress dashboard. You don’t need to switch between tools or platforms.
With features like task lists, milestones, Kanban boards, and progress tracking, WP Project Manager lets you plan, execute, and review sprints smoothly. In this guide, we’ll show you in detail how to run Agile sprints with WP Project Manager step by step.
What Are Agile Sprints?
Agile sprints are short and time-boxed work periods where a team focuses on completing a specific set of tasks or goals. Usually, they last between one to four weeks, depending on the project size and team workflow. The main idea behind it is to break large projects into smaller and manageable parts.
In each sprint, the team decides what tasks to complete, sets clear goals, and works together to finish them within the sprint timeline. After each sprint, they review the results, discuss what went well, and identify what can be improved in the next sprint.
This process encourages teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. So, if you want to know how to run Agile sprints effectively, the key is to focus on small, clear goals and steady progress in one sprint at a time.
Benefits of Agile Sprints
- Encourages continuous feedback and quick adjustments
- Increases collaboration and communication among team members
- Enhances project transparency with clear sprint goals and progress tracking
- Keeps teams focused on short-term, achievable objectives
- Reduces risks by identifying issues early in the process
- Improves product quality with frequent testing and feedback loops
- Builds team accountability and ownership of tasks
- Encourages continuous learning and process improvement after each sprint
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Why Choose WP Project Manager for Agile Sprints
WP Project Manager is a powerful and feature-rich project management plugin for WordPress. It helps teams manage projects, tasks, time tracking, milestone tracking, collaboration, order management, and invoicing – all from the WordPress dashboard.
As a result, instead of using various tools for planning and execution, you can run your entire workflow directly from one single place. So, no matter whether you manage a software development team, marketing campaigns, or otherwise, WP Project Manager has everything to cover you.
Key Features of WP Project Manager for Agile Workflows
Available features and functionalities make this plugin great for handling Agile and Scrum project management methodologies. But let's now check in this post, the key features of WP Project Manager that are suitable for running Agile sprints.
a. Task Lists and Subtasks
Task lists allow you to organize all the work in a sprint clearly. You can break larger tasks into smaller subtasks so every detail is tracked and nothing is missed. This helps teams focus on completing smaller goals that build toward the overall sprint objective.
b. Kanban Boards
Kanban boards give a visual overview of task progress. You can move tasks from ‘To-Do' to ‘In Progress' to ‘Done.' This makes it easy to see what’s being worked on and what is complete. This helps teams stay organized and quickly identify bottlenecks.
Take a look at the best WordPress Kanban boards.
c. Milestone Tracking
Milestones let you set clear sprint goals and track progress toward them. By defining key deliverables or checkpoints, your team can see if they are on schedule and stay motivated to achieve the sprint objectives on time.
d. Time Tracking and Deadline Management
Time tracking helps monitor how long each task takes, and deadlines keep the team on schedule. These features ensure work is completed within the sprint period and help identify tasks that need extra attention.
e. Team Collaboration
Collaboration tools allow team members to communicate directly on tasks. You can add comments, share files, and discuss updates in real time. This reduces confusion and ensures everyone is on the same page.
Learn how to manage conflicts in teams with WP Project Manager.
f. Performance Tracking Reports
Performance reports provide insight into team progress and task completion. They help evaluate how efficiently the sprint is running and identify areas that need improvement for future sprints.
g. Role-based Access Control
Role-based access lets you assign different permissions to team members. Each person sees only what they need, ensuring sensitive information is protected and responsibilities are clearly defined.
Check this discussion on how to improve remote project management skills with WP Project Manager.
h. Activity Log Tracking
Activity logs record all actions in the project, such as task updates, comments, and file uploads. This creates a clear history of work, making it easy to track progress, accountability, and any changes made during the sprint.
How to Run Agile Sprints with WP Project Manager (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now, in this section, we'll guide you on how to run Agile sprints with WP Project Manager with step-by-step navigation. This will start with how to get started with the plugin and then setting up the workflow. Keep reading.
Step 01: Getting Started with WP Project Manager
WP Project Manager has both free and premium versions. But like any other plugin, the free version covers limited capabilities. The premium version includes many more exciting features. So, if you want to run a professional team and manage Agile sprints for it, you definitely need the free and premium versions of the WP Project Manager plugin.
Get the plugin by clicking the buttons above. Once you have them on your drive, it's time to install them on your site. However, you can install the free version of the plugin in the following way.
# Installing WP Project Manager Free
Navigate to Plugins > Add Plugin. Type WP Project Manager in the search box on the top-right corner. Once the plugin appears, install and activate it.
# Installing WP Project Manager Pro
After the free version is installed and activated, it's time for the premium version of the plugin. Navigate to Plugins > Add Plugin > Upload Plugin.
By clicking the button Choose File, select the zip file of the premium version of the plugin you downloaded after buying it. Once it's selected, hit the Install Now button.
Thus, you can install and activate both versions of the plugin.
# Add License Key to WP Project Manager
After the plugin is installed, navigate to Project Manager > License on the admin menu bar. Type the email address you used to buy it. Then, place the license key you got in your email.
Finally, click the Save & Active button.
So, your plugins are ready.
Step 02: Create a Sprint and Define Its Goal
Start by defining what you want to achieve in the sprint. In WP Project Manager, create a new project. Give it a name and description that explains the goal.
This will give your team a clear objective for the sprint.
Step 03: Create A Task List
Next, you need a list of all tasks required to meet the sprint goal. To do this, go to Project Manager > Task Lists. After coming to the dashboard, click the + Add Task List button.
A small popup will open up. Type your task name and a short description for it in the respective fields. Finally, click the Add List button.
You can see that we have added a new task to the list. In the same way, you can add as many tasks to the list by clicking the + Add Task List button.
Now, you can see that we have added lots of tasks to the list. You can even add sub-tasks to the list. To do this, place your cursor in the field under the main task. Type your sub-task names and press the Enter button.
You can update the backlog data anytime. So, nothing gets missed.
Step 04: Allocate Time for Each Task
To allocate time, click the three-dot icon next to each task. You'll get a list. Find and hit the Edit option.
Click the calendar icon. Instantly, a calendar will open up. Choose a date on the calendar. Finally, press the Update button.
You can see that a deadline has been set for the task, which is displayed on its right side on the subtask list.
WP Project Manager has a built-in time tracker by which you can bill clients for exactly how many hours you have worked. Here's a discussion on how to master time management with the time tracker of WP Project Manager.
Step 05: Add Milestone
Navigate to Project Manager > Milestones. Then, click the Add Milestone button.
Hit the Add Milestone button. This will add numerous fields, as you can see on the page, to configure the milestone.
Give a name to the milestone. Select a deadline date. Finally, hit the Add Milestone button at the end.
In the same way, you can add as many milestones as you want to this section. Besides, you can track the total number of days left for each milestone from here.
Step 06: Prepare the Kanban Board
As already said, the Kanban Board is a part of Agile sprints. Come to the Kanban Board. Here, you can import your sub-tasks and arrange them in different columns as necessary.
To import sub-tasks into the Kanban Board, click the plus (+) icon on the column named open. You will get a search box.
Type your sub-task name in the search box. You'll see the task appearing below the search box. Clicking it will add the sub-task to the Kanban board.
You can see that the task has instantly been added to the Kanban board.
In the same way, you can add as many tasks as you want to the Kanban board.
Once tasks on your Kanban Board are ready, you can move them between columns using the drag-and-drop feature. Do it as required.
Visit this detailed discussion on Kanban Board vs Scrum Board.
Step 07: Prepare the Gantt Chart
Although the Gantt Chart isn't mandatory for Agile sprints, it's great for quick visualization of your workflows. WP Project Manager has a built-in Gantt Chart, and you don't have to spend any time preparing it.
Because as you defined deadlines for each of your sub-tasks in the project, the Gantt Chart will automatically be created.
Just go to the Gantt Chart tab. You will see that your Gantt Chart is already prepared there. You can explore it by scrolling.
For more queries, visit this guide on how to create a Gantt chart in WordPress.
Step 07: Track Reports of Your Agile Sprints
Come to the Reports section of WP Project Manager by navigating it on the admin menu bar on the left side. You'll get various options there, such as Overdue Tasks, Complete Task, User Activities, Task by Milestone, Unassigned Task, and Summary.
By clicking into these options, you'll be able to get a filtered view of your Agile sprint reports.
Step 08: Close Sprints by Finishing Tasks in Agile Sprints
It's easy to mark when a task has been completed. Take your cursor next to the checkbox of the respective task. Click on the checkbox.
You'll instantly see that the finished tasks have been moved below with a strikethrough on them. Once you mark tasks that have been finished this way, all reports will be updated accordingly.
Thus, you can manage Agile sprints for your workspace using the WP Project Manager plugin.
Wrapping Up & Best Practices
Running Agile sprints becomes much easier and more organized when you have a smart tool in place. Indeed, there are numerous tools out there. But we have promoted WP Project Manager in this post because it is one of the most budget-friendly but feature-rich plugins, which all kinds of users can afford, from individual freelancers to agencies.
Not only Agile but also Scrum sprints can be managed with this tool. In the next post, we'll explain how to run Scrum sprints with the WP Project Manager plugin. However, no matter what sprint type you run, there are several best practices you must follow to get the best results.
Start each project/sprint with a clearly defined goal. List out necessary tasks that align with the goal and objective. Ensure real-time collaboration so your team is perfectly aligned and works faster. Don't forget to update them whenever they make a mistake or any update becomes a must.