Release Planning Canvas
Canvas for iterative release planning with goals, features, risks, and dependencies.
PURPOSE
The Release Planning Canvas supports agile teams in structured release planning without giving up the iterative nature of agile work. It helps maintain an overview of goals, features, risks, and dependencies when multiple sprints are combined into a release. The tool bridges the gap between daily sprint work and medium-term product planning.
HOW TO USE
The canvas is filled out by the product team together at the start of release planning. First, release goals and the most important features are defined and prioritized. Then risks and dependencies on other teams or systems are captured. The canvas is iteratively updated as changes arise during sprints.
WHAT IT IS
The Release Planning Canvas is a visual planning tool for iterative release planning in agile teams. It contains fields for release goals, prioritized features, identified risks, dependencies, and milestones. The canvas provides a compact overview of the entire release plan and is designed to be regularly updated.
EXAMPLE
Example: Your agile product team is planning the next quarter and must decide which features fit into three two-week sprints. With the Release Planning Canvas, you define release goals, prioritize features by customer value, identify dependencies on the backend team, and document the biggest risks.