{"id":31893,"date":"2016-06-28T12:08:38","date_gmt":"2016-06-28T17:08:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/?p=31893"},"modified":"2026-05-19T11:24:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:24:39","slug":"issue-tracking-template","status":"publish","type":"templates","link":"https:\/\/www.projectmanager.com\/templates\/issue-tracking-template","title":{"rendered":"Issue Tracking Template"},"content":{"rendered":"

Track project issues as they arise with these free templates. Define the priority of each issue, assign it to key people on the team and check it off when complete. Issues are problems, and with this issue tracking template for Excel, you have the means to solve those problems.<\/p>\n

But, if you open the issue tracking template in ProjectManager instead, you’ll be able to manage project issues in our software with five different views: Gantt, kanban board, task list, calendar and sheet.<\/p>\n

Plus, you’ll be able to manage those issues with your team in real time, and track progress along the way with live dashboards and instant status reports. Get started for free with ProjectManager and start tracking your issues better!<\/a><\/p>\n

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ProjectManager’s issue tracking template is free to use and more powerful than Excel. Try it now!<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why You Need Better Issue Tracking<\/h2>\n

When you’re talking about an issue in project management, you really mean a problem, but specifically, a problem that is related to your project. This problem may be about to happen or is currently happening, but it must be resolved as quickly as possible or else risk the whole project.<\/p>\n

An issue, however, is different from the risk<\/a> in a project. A risk basically is something that hasn’t occurred but may disrupt the project. An issue is imminent or occurring. It’s a somewhat subtle distinction, but one that demands attention. That’s why our free Excel issue tracking template is a great start to corralling and correcting issues as they arise in a project.<\/p>\n

Once you download and create your own issue tracking template you can collect those issues. First, you have to identify them, of course, and the template is where they go. Only after having identified them can you begin to create some plan of action.<\/a> Use your project team to brainstorm ideas. Collaboration is a great tool for tackling a problem as it gives you many different perspectives and comes from experience and skills you may not have.<\/p>\n

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ProjectManager’s free issue tracking template for Excel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How you address the issue is as open-ended as how many issues may arise in a project, which is more reason you need a place to collect these ideas. The issue tracking template makes sure that everything you do is clearly documented. You can also try a project tracking software<\/a> to keep track of risk, issues, costs and more in just one place.<\/p>\n

You’ll want to implement risk mitigation strategies quickly, and the risk tracking template allows you to do so systematically and clearly. The template is great, too, for multiple issues and keeping them all straight. You’re likely to have more than one issue in a project, so you need a document to keep track of them all.<\/p>\n

When you’re managing issues, you want to connect teams and track their progress. Project management software can automate and add transparency to issue management. ProjectManager<\/a> is a cloud-based tool that lets teams collaborate in real time. Using our kanban boards, managers can make cards for each issue and see their team’s progress as the card moves from backlog to working and done. Cards can be tagged and filtered by departments to better organize the work in your organization. Try it free today!<\/p>\n

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Track issues and get transparency into the process by using kanban boards from ProjectManager<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to Use ProjectManager’s Issue Tracking Template<\/h2>\n

Once you’ve got your free Excel template and have downloaded it, you’ll want to create one to suit whatever issues you’re having with your project. The first step is filling in the blank fields with the pertinent information.<\/p>\n

Describe Issue and Potential Impact<\/h3>\n

This is where you list your issues, so you’ll want to number them first to keep them from getting confused. Then there’s a column in which you can note the potential impact of the issue. Describe the issue and how it can impact the project, be precise but not wordy.<\/p>\n\"issue\n

What’s the Priority, Date and Owner?<\/h3>\n

Depending on the issue, the priority is going to be low, medium, high or critical. Here’s the place to determine that. Then you’re going to need to note the date the issue opens. When you close it, there’s a space to record that. Then, assign the issue to someone to oversee its path towards being resolved. If you don’t, the issue will undoubtedly be lost in the shuffle.<\/p>\n\"set\n

What Is the Department, Status and Notes?<\/h3>\n

It’s important to state which department is handling the issue. Then you need to have a place to note the status of the issue is. Is it open or closed? That goes in this column. Finally, you’ll have a column in which to add notes that don’t fall under any of the already assigned columns.<\/p>\n\"issue\n

Issue tracking works best when it’s part of the whole project management solution. By pulling in team members to not only raised the issue but will lead the task to resolve them, you’re making it more likely that the issue will not fall through the cracks. When this part of your project tracking solution is part of a larger project management software tool<\/a>, then you’re managing issues, rather than having the issues drive your management of the project.<\/p>\n

How to Use Issue Tracking in ProjectManager<\/b><\/h2>\n

ProjectManager<\/a> is a cloud-based, online software that offers project managers and their teams the tools they need to work together and get the project completed faster, better and cheaper. Not only does it have features to track issues, but there’s so much more. From planning, monitoring and reporting on the project, ProjectManager sees you through every phase in the project’s lifecycle.<\/p>\n

You can create and view the issues on the kanban board,<\/a> which makes it easier to track and resolve them. Individual tasks can also be tagged to help provide more context. This gives managers and teams more flexibility when controlling issues as they arise. Since you can filter by tags, it also supports the ability to let teams define issues and filter all tasks with the tag issues to see just those.<\/p>\n

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Issues must be assigned to someone on the team who owns them, which means they’re tasked to resolve them. A priority level for each issue can be created, along with a deadline. Then, track their progress on the issue with our project dashboard<\/a>, which collects data in real time. The dashboard also gives you the functionality to filter data to see only what you need.<\/p>\n\"ProjectManager's<\/a>\n

Related Content<\/h2>\n

Issues are problems, but that’s merely quick and easy way to describe them. There’s much more about managing and tracking issues, and if you want to take a deep dive into the topic, then there’s no better place than our project management templates<\/a> library. To get you started, we’ve selected the top three articles and tutorial videos on the subject, which are listed below.<\/p>\n