Cycles

A cycle is a named period of work within a project. It groups stories and tasks around a goal and dates.

Plan a short delivery period#

For a website release, create a cycle for the next two weeks and add the tasks needed for that release. The cycle gives the team a shared plan to review.

Create and fill a cycle#

1. As a project owner or editor, open Project settings, then Cycles.
2. In Add a cycle, enter an optional name and goal. Choose the Starts and Ends dates, then select Add cycle.

3. Open a story or task and choose its Cycle property. You can also select several rows in the list and use Cycle in the bulk toolbar.
4. Return to Cycles and start the planned cycle with its Start control. Planning and starting a cycle are separate actions. When no cycle is active, an editor can also start the next one straight from the board strip. While another cycle is active, Start in settings is disabled ("Complete the active cycle first").

Track progress#

1. Open the board. An active cycle appears in a strip with its progress.
2. Click This cycle only in the strip to show only work in that cycle.
3. Open the cycle report from the strip or from the cycle's Report control in settings.

4. When the period ends, choose Complete in the board cycle strip and follow the dialog to decide what happens to unfinished work.

Tips and common mistakes#

• Epics cannot be added to cycles. Add their stories or tasks instead.
• A cycle does not assign work to a person. Use Assignee and weekly commitments for personal responsibility and planning.
• Start a cycle when work begins. Creating it alone does not make it active.
• Use the cycle goal to explain what the team hopes to finish, rather than repeating every card title.

Related pages#

• Weekly commitments
• Bulk changes
• Use the board