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====== Introduction ======

===== Purpose =====

The "xAgile Excel Template", or "xAgile" for short, is a powerful tool designed to facilitate agile project management within the familiar environment of Microsoft Excel. It empowers project managers, Scrum masters, and development teams to efficiently plan, track, and manage agile projects, fostering collaboration and productivity.

===== Target Audience =====

This user guide is intended for professionals involved in agile project management, including but not limited to agile project managers, Scrum masters, product owners, developers and team members. Whether you're new to agile methodologies or a seasoned practitioner, this guide will help you harness the full potential of the "xAgile Excel Template".

===== System Requirements =====

Before installing the xAgile Excel Template, ensure you have the following system components:
  * Microsoft Excel 2016 or later 
  * Windows Operating System: Windows 7 or later
  * Macros and Active Content: Macros must be enabled in Excel for full functionality.

Furthermore, because xAgile is an Excel Template, you must have some basic experience and knowledge of the MS-Excel tool.

===== MS-Excel General Concepts =====

Before diving into the xAgile Excel Template, it is essential to familiarise yourself with the fundamental Microsoft Excel concepts that are integral to using this template effectively, namely:\\
**Workbook**: A workbook is an Excel file that contains one or more worksheets. Think of a workbook as a digital notebook where you can store and organise data. In the context of the xAgile Excel Template, your agile project data is stored within a workbook.\\
**Worksheet**: A worksheet, also called a spreadsheet, is a single grid of cells organised into rows and columns. Each worksheet within a workbook is a separate tab where you can input, calculate, and visualise data. This template uses worksheets for various purposes, such as project definition, managing product and sprint backlogs, and reporting.\\
**Tables**: Tables in Excel are structured ranges of data that include headers. They make managing, sorting, filtering, and analysing data easier. The "xAgile Excel Template" utilises tables extensively to keep your project data organised and accessible.\\
**Charts**: Excel offers various chart types to help you visualise data, from simple bar and pie charts to complex graphs. Charts are delivered within the template to provide visual insights into your project's progress and performance.\\
**Formulas**: Excel's real power lies in its ability to perform calculations using formulas. Formulas are expressions that can perform various mathematical, logical, and text operations on your data. The template employs formulas to automate calculations, such as sprint velocity and burndown rates.\\
**Macros**: Macros are sequences of actions recorded in a scripting language, like VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), that allow to automate tasks. While the xAgile does not require extensive macro knowledge, it includes macros to streamline specific processes or tasks.\\
**Ribbon**: The Ribbon is the toolbar at the top of the Excel window that houses various tabs, each containing a group of buttons and actions. Excel's functionality is organised into tabs, such as Home, Insert, Page Layout, Formulas, Data, Review, and View. The xAgile also includes a "xAgile" custom ribbon tab with groups of buttons for template-specific actions.\\
**Group of Buttons**: Groups of buttons in Excel are collections of related functions grouped within a tab on the ribbon. For instance, the Data tab includes groups like Sort & Filter and Data Tools. The xAgile also introduces custom groups with buttons tailored to support or automatise project management tasks.

Understanding these MS-Excel general concepts will support a smoother xAgile experience. You can navigate in the workbooks, manipulate data, and leverage Excel's features more effectively to manage your projects.

===== Getting Started =====

Welcome to the user guide for the "xAgile Excel Template". This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to effectively utilise this template for your agile project management needs. In the following sections, you'll find details about installation instructions, configuration guidance, and project definition, and then start configuring and managing your project based on Kanban, Scrum, or similar approaches that you may customise.