Manage Sprints in ClickUp from a Backlog

In ClickUp, you can quickly turn a product backlog into a clear sprint plan by adding tasks directly from your backlog into Sprints. This helps agile teams prioritize work, commit to realistic goals, and keep delivery on track each sprint.

This guide explains how Sprints work, how to prepare your backlog, and the exact steps to move backlog tasks into a Sprint using built-in ClickUp features.

Understand Sprints in ClickUp

Before you move tasks, it is important to understand how Sprints function within ClickUp and how they connect to your Spaces and Folders.

A Sprint is a short, time-boxed period where your team focuses on a selected set of tasks. In ClickUp, Sprints are managed through the Sprints ClickApp and Sprint Folders.

Key ClickUp sprint components

• Sprints ClickApp: A workspace-level feature that enables sprint management tools.
• Sprint Folders: Special Folders where Sprint Lists live and where sprint tasks are stored.
• Sprint Lists: Individual sprints, often named with a pattern like “Sprint 25.1” or another naming convention.
• Backlog: A list or view where you collect and prioritize future tasks before assigning them to a Sprint.

Prerequisites for sprint planning in ClickUp

Before adding backlog tasks to a Sprint, confirm that your workspace and Space are ready.

Enable the Sprints ClickApp in ClickUp

1. Open your workspace settings.
2. Navigate to the ClickApps section.
3. Find the Sprints ClickApp.
4. Toggle it on for the workspace.

Once enabled, you can configure sprint settings at the Space level, including duration and date boundaries.

Set up Sprint Folders in ClickUp

1. Open the Space where you manage your team’s work.
2. Create a new Folder and configure it as a Sprint Folder if prompted, or select the Sprint option where available.
3. Within this Folder, create Sprint Lists that represent each iteration.

Your Sprint Folder will contain all the Sprints your team will use, while your backlog can live in the same Space or in another Space.

Create and organize your backlog in ClickUp

Your backlog is where you collect, refine, and prioritize upcoming work before assigning it to a Sprint.

Build a clear backlog structure

• Create a dedicated Backlog List inside a Folder or Space.
• Group tasks by epics, features, or areas of responsibility using custom fields, tags, or additional Lists.
• Use priorities, estimates, and statuses to prepare tasks for sprint planning.

Refine tasks for sprint readiness

Before moving tasks into a Sprint, confirm that each backlog item includes:

• A clear title and description.
• Acceptance criteria and key details.
• Story points or time estimates.
• Priority and relevant assignees when known.

Preparation in the backlog ensures that when tasks are moved into a Sprint, your team can start work immediately without delays.

How to add tasks from a backlog to Sprints in ClickUp

Once your backlog and Sprints are configured, you can add tasks from your backlog into a Sprint using several options in ClickUp.

Option 1: Add tasks to a Sprint from the backlog view

You can use any List, Board, or Table view that displays your backlog tasks.

1. Open the backlog List or view in ClickUp.
2. Select one or more tasks you want to move into the upcoming Sprint.
3. Use the bulk action toolbar at the top of the screen.
4. Click the option to Move or Add to List (wording may vary slightly depending on the view).
5. Choose the Sprint List you want to assign these tasks to within your Sprint Folder.
6. Confirm the action so the tasks are now part of the Sprint.

This method is useful when you want to move several tasks at once into a single Sprint.

Option 2: Add a backlog task to a Sprint from the task view

You can also move individual tasks into a Sprint directly from their task details pane.

1. Open a backlog task in ClickUp.
2. Locate the section that shows the current List or Sprint List.
3. Click the location control to change where the task lives.
4. Select the correct Sprint List inside your Sprint Folder.
5. Save or confirm the new location.

This approach is ideal when you are grooming backlog items one by one and assigning them to specific Sprints.

Best practices for sprint planning in ClickUp

Applying consistent planning practices can help you get more value from your Sprints.

Use ClickUp views to support planning

• List view: Sort and filter tasks by priority, estimate, or custom fields to decide what should enter the next Sprint.
• Board view: Drag and drop tasks between backlog and Sprint-related statuses for a visual workflow.
• Table view: Compare estimates and capacities when you are finalizing Sprint scope.

Plan Sprint capacity in ClickUp

When adding tasks to a Sprint, monitor the workload of your team:

• Sum up story points or time estimates for all tasks in the Sprint.
• Compare them with your team’s known capacity for the sprint duration.
• Use assignee or workload views to balance tasks across the team.

Adjust the selection of backlog tasks until the Sprint contains a realistic and achievable set of work items.

Review your Sprint after moving backlog tasks

After you add tasks from your backlog into a Sprint, review the Sprint configuration to ensure everything is ready.

Validate Sprint details in ClickUp

• Confirm the Sprint start and end dates are correct.
• Check that all required tasks are included and no critical backlog item was left out.
• Verify that each Sprint task has an assignee and estimate.

Once validation is complete, you can begin or activate the Sprint so your team can start working.

Learn more about Sprints in ClickUp

For more detailed configuration options, advanced reporting, or specific sprint behaviors, reference the official documentation on how to add tasks to Sprints from a backlog in ClickUp: View the full ClickUp help article.

If you need strategic guidance on structuring agile workflows or optimizing your workspace architecture, you can also explore consulting resources such as Consultevo for tailored ClickUp implementation support.

By following these steps and best practices, your team can consistently add high-value backlog tasks to Sprints in ClickUp, keep work organized, and deliver predictable results each iteration.

Need Help With ClickUp?

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