Good to Have: Templates for Agile Everyday Life

In the agile world, there are numerous templates and forms that help teams make their work more efficient and structured. These templates provide a clear structure and facilitate the communication, planning, and execution of tasks. In this post, we introduce some of the most important and useful templates for agile everyday life.
User Story Template
A User Story describes a requirement from the end user's perspective. A common template for user stories is: "As a [role], I want to [function], so that [benefit/goal]." Example: As a customer, I want to be able to track my order online, so that I know when it will arrive.
Definition of Done (DoD) Template
The Definition of Done specifies the criteria that must be met for a task to be considered complete. A template could include:
- Code written and reviewed
- Tests conducted and passed
- Documentation updated
- Feedback obtained from the customer
Retrospective Template
Retrospectives are used to reflect on the past sprint and identify potential for improvement. A common template is the "Start, Stop, Continue" format:
- What should we start doing?
- What should we stop doing?
- What should we continue doing?
Sprint Planning Template
During Sprint Planning, the tasks to be worked on in the upcoming sprint are defined. A template could include the following points:
- Review of the Product Backlog
- Selection of User Stories for the next sprint
- Breakdown of User Stories into tasks
- Estimation of the effort for each task
Conclusion
Templates are a valuable tool in an agile work environment. They provide a clear structure and ensure that all team members are on the same page. By using proven templates, you can ensure that no important information is overlooked and that all stakeholders know what is expected of them.

Mario Lohe
General Manager with 15+ years of experience in business operations, agile transformation, and AI enablement. Former Director of Operations at Havas Creative Group, Head of Operations at Audiencly. Certified: CSPO, CSM, ISO 31000, Systemic Coach (DCA).

