Using Smartsheet for Dual-Track Agile
Spreadsheet-familiar interface makes adoption easy for teams transitioning from Excel — minimal training needed for basic use. When combined with Dual-Track Agile, this makes Smartsheet a strong candidate for teams who want a structured, repeatable workflow without sacrificing flexibility. Dual-Track Agile works best in Smartsheet when you leverage its kanban boards to implement the framework's key practices directly in the tool your team already lives in.
Dual-Track Agile runs a continuous Discovery track (validating what to build) in parallel with a Delivery track (building validated work). Both tracks feed each other continuously.
How to set up Dual-Track Agile in Smartsheet
Separate Discovery and Delivery tracks
In Smartsheet, create two parallel boards: one for Discovery (Opportunity → Exploring → Testing → Validated) and one for Delivery (Refined → Sprint → Done). Use custom workflow statuses to define exactly what "Validated" means before a card can move from Discovery to Delivery. Items only enter Delivery once they have a validated solution from Discovery.
Configure the Discovery track workflow
In the Discovery project in Smartsheet, create cards for Opportunities (problems worth solving) and Solutions (candidate approaches). Run weekly discovery interviews and log findings in card comments or linked documents. Tag cards with the customer segment they're relevant to.
Set up the Delivery backlog and sprint
Create a Delivery backlog view in Smartsheet filtered to items tagged "Validated". Use this as your sprint planning input. Any backlog item without a validated solution from the Discovery track should be moved back to Discovery before it enters a sprint.
Create the outcome measurement loop
When a Delivery item ships, create a corresponding "Outcome Check" card in Discovery with a 30-day review date. Smartsheet's analytics or a linked tool should track whether the shipped feature moved the target outcome metric. This closes the loop: shipped → measured → learning feeds next Discovery cycle.
Which Smartsheet features matter for Dual-Track Agile
Smartsheet has 1 of 3 core Dual-Track Agile features natively.