Sprint Lifecycle
Create sprints, set dates, activate, and close them.
Every sprint follows a predictable lifecycle: plan it, run it, close it. This structure gives your team a clear cadence for execution and a natural checkpoint for reflection and replanning.
Creating a sprint
Navigate to Sprints
Click Sprints in the sidebar to see all sprints in your organization.
Click New Sprint
Hit the New Sprint button to create a new sprint.
Name your sprint
Give it a descriptive name like "Mobile App Sprint 3" or "Q2 Week 5." The name appears in the sidebar, on card detail pages, and in filters.
Set start and end dates
Choose a start date and end date. Two-week sprints are common, but Joyous doesn't enforce a duration — use whatever cadence works for your team.
New sprints start in Planning status, giving you time to commit cards before kicking things off.
Sprint statuses
Sprints transition through three statuses:
Planning
The sprint exists but hasn't started. Use this phase to:
- Commit cards from the backlog
- Review scope and capacity
- Prioritize and sequence the work
Active
The sprint is underway. Click the status badge on the sprint detail page and select Active to start. During an active sprint:
- The team works through committed cards
- Cards transition from Committed → Done as work is completed
- Progress is visible on the sprint detail page and the outcome pages
Closed
The sprint is complete. Click the status badge and select Closed to end it. Closing a sprint:
- Captures a snapshot of what was accomplished
- Cards still in Committed or Backlog remain available for the next sprint
- The closed sprint becomes a historical record you can review anytime
Close sprints promptly when the time window ends, even if not all cards are done. This creates an honest record of velocity and helps with future planning.
Changing sprint status
Sprint status transitions are controlled from the sprint detail page. Click the status badge (e.g., the "Planning" chip) to open a dropdown with all three options. Select the new status and it takes effect immediately.
Status transitions are not enforced in a strict order — you can move a sprint from Planning directly to Closed if needed, or reopen a closed sprint by moving it back to Active. Joyous trusts your judgment.
Next Steps
- Planning & Commitment — Learn how to add cards to sprints
- Sprints Overview — Return to the full overview of sprint features