Letโs learn more about a google sheets project management template and the wider category of project management spreadsheet templates. There are many to choose from, and the right one can save hours by giving you a ready-made structure for tasks, deadlines, and progress tracking. Below, Iโll share the best project management template options you can download, how to find more in Google Sheets, and how to customize a project plan template so it works for real teams.
Pick the right template in 30 seconds
- If you need dates, dependencies, and a timeline view, start with a Gantt chart.
- If you want a simple, high-level plan with phases and milestones, use a project timeline.
- If you want a weekly execution view for each project task, use a project tracker.
- If controlling spend matters, use a project budget template for planned and actual costs.
- If the main problem is focus, use an action list with ranking for action items.
5 useful Google Sheets project management templates
If you want a free project management template you can customize, Google Sheets is usually enough. These five templates are practical starting points. Each link opens a Google Sheet you can copy, then edit for your project objectives and future projects.
1. Gantt chart
A Gantt chart breaks a project into a timeline where each project task is shown as a bar. It is one of the fastest ways to spot overlaps, unrealistic deadlines, and work that depends on other work.
This template supports tasks and subtasks, phases, and progress tracking so stakeholders can see what is moving and what is stuck with more transparency.
Download the Gantt chart template
(In Google Sheets, go to File > Make a copy.)
2. Project timeline
A project timeline template is a clean way to plan phases and milestones without getting lost in granular details. It works well for employees and team members who need a clear plan and a simple progress view. And yes, there’s a way to make a Kanban board in Google Sheets, too.
You can plan phases, break them into tasks, then use the grid to show progress day by day or week by week. This keeps project objectives visible and reduces drift.
Download the project timeline template
(In Google Sheets, go to File > Make a copy.)
3. Project tracking
A project tracker is closer to a lightweight dashboard. It is designed for execution, it keeps project tasks, deliverables, status, priority, and basic costs in one place, so you can get a quick read on where things stand.
Good trackers support feedback loops, because team members can update status and notes, and stakeholders can review progress without chasing updates.
Download the project tracking template
(In Google Sheets, go to File > Make a copy.)
4. Project budget
A project budget template helps you track estimated versus actual costs, plus income and funding sources if you need them. If your project has any real cost exposure, this is the template that prevents surprises.
Keep this sheet separate from your tracker if multiple team members are editing tasks. That keeps financial resources controlled while still maintaining transparency on actual costs.
Download the project budget template
(In Google Sheets, go to File > Make a copy.)
5. Action list with ranking
Projects fail when the team cannot separate urgent from important. An action list with ranking forces clarity and keeps the most important action items visible.
You can also color-code tasks by difficulty and value so everyone understands the tradeoffs.
Download the action list with ranking template
(In Google Sheets, go to File > Make a copy.)
Customize your template for stakeholders and team members
A template becomes a real system when it supports real-time collaboration, consistent updates, and visibility for stakeholders. If you want the best project management template for your team, make these upgrades first.
Add the columns that make it usable
- Owner: assign responsibility to team members so tasks do not float.
- Status: keep it to a tight list like Not started, In progress, Blocked, Done.
- Priority: make tradeoffs explicit when workload gets heavy.
- Start date and due date: helps with planning and accountability.
- Dependencies: use a Blocked by column to flag what cannot start yet.
- Notes and links: store decisions, feedback, and next steps in the sheet.
- Resources: note key tools, vendors, or assets needed to complete the project task.
- Resource tracking: track people time, budget categories, or key materials when resourcing is tight.
Protect formulas and reduce chaos
Protect formula cells and summary areas so employees and team members cannot accidentally break the sheet. Leave only input columns editable. This is the simplest way to preserve transparency without sacrificing reliability.
Track workload without overengineering it
If the team is overloaded, a project plan template fails even if the schedule looks perfect. Add Estimated hours and Actual hours, then filter weekly to spot workload spikes early. You can keep it simple while still getting honest resource tracking.
How to find project management templates in Google Sheets
If you want Google Sheets templates that are already built into the ecosystem, here are two reliable ways to find them. These are useful even if you also use other project management tools.
- Using the Google Sheets built-in Template Gallery
- Using add-ons from the Google Workspace Marketplace
Using the built-in Template Gallery to find templates
Google Sheets includes a template gallery with professionally designed options, including calendars, invoices, content scheduling, time sheets, budgets, and some basic project management layouts. Built for collaboration by project teams, there are several options we like.
- Open Google Sheets by entering sheets.google.com in your browser.
- Click Template gallery on the top right.
- You should now see a wide range of templates to choose from.
The templates are organized by category. You will typically see sections for personal use, education, and business. You can also find a Project Management category, which includes templates like a Gantt chart and a project timeline.
Tip, you can also open a new template from inside any spreadsheet by going to File > New > From template gallery.
Using add-ons from the Google Workspace Marketplace
Add-ons extend Google Sheets and can include extra templates or integrations. If you want templates beyond what the built-in gallery offers, the Workspace Marketplace is the place to look.
- Open any Google Sheet.
- Go to Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons.
This opens the Google Workspace Marketplace, where you can browse and install add-ons.
- Type templates in the search bar.
- Review options for additional template libraries.
- Select an add-on you like, then click Install.
- Follow the prompts to approve permissions.
- After install, return to Extensions to launch the add-on.
What is a project management template
Project management includes timelines, schedules, budgets, quality control, and execution tracking. A project management template gives you a ready-to-use structure so you are not building from scratch every time. In a spreadsheet, this usually means a clear task list, a simple schedule, and a way to track progress and resources.
What do you need in the best project management template
The best project management template is the one your team will actually use. It should support real-time collaboration, clear ownership, and simple reporting for stakeholders. At minimum, look for:
- A clear task list with owners and due dates
- Status tracking you can update quickly
- A way to prioritize tasks when workload gets heavy
- A simple view of progress, like a percent complete or milestone tracker
- Space for feedback and decisions so tasks do not become vague placeholders
- Basic resource tracking if time, budget, or materials are constraints
Why use Google Sheets templates for project management
Google Sheets templates are a practical option when you need something free, shareable, and easy to customize. They can also complement other project management tools, especially when you want a flexible spreadsheet view or a lightweight dashboard.
- Free to use
- Easy to share and collaborate on in real time
- Flexible, you can adapt it to your workflow and project objectives
- Useful for reporting and transparency across stakeholders
FAQ, project management spreadsheet templates
If you are choosing or customizing a project management spreadsheet template, these are the questions I see come up most often.
What is the best project management template for Google Sheets
The best project management template is the one that matches your workflow. If you are executing day to day work, choose a tracker. If dependencies and dates drive everything, choose a Gantt chart. If you need a simple plan for stakeholders, choose a timeline.
Can I download a google sheets project management template and customize it for my team
Yes. Make a copy first, then customize columns for owners, status, priority, and notes. The goal is a template that supports real-time collaboration without letting people break formulas.
What should a project plan template include
It should include project objectives, phases, project tasks, owners, due dates, status, and a notes area for decisions and feedback. If resources are tight, add basic resource tracking and workload columns.
How do I track workload in a project management spreadsheet template
Add Estimated hours and Actual hours per project task, then filter by owner to spot overload. Keep it simple and update weekly, because workload tracking only helps if it stays current.
How do I handle resource tracking in Google Sheets
Decide what resource means for your project, time, budget, or materials. Then track it consistently. For time, use estimated and actual hours. For money, separate a budget tab for actual costs. For materials, track quantities and owners.
How do I make the sheet useful for stakeholders without creating extra work for team members
Use a single source of truth tracker, then add a small summary tab that shows status counts, upcoming due dates, and blocked items. That creates transparency without forcing duplicate reporting.
How do I keep action items from getting lost in a spreadsheet
Give every action item an owner and a due date, and keep statuses consistent. If it does not have an owner, it is not an action item yet, it is a note.
When is Google Sheets not enough compared with other project management tools
If you need heavy automation, complex dependencies at scale, detailed permissions, or cross-team reporting, you may outgrow Sheets. For many small teams, Sheets is still enough when the process is disciplined.
Conclusion
We evaluated many project management templates in Google Sheets. Templates save time by giving you a working structure immediately, then letting you customize only what matters for your project objectives. If you are overwhelmed, start with a tracker or action list. If timing risk is your main concern, start with a Gantt chart.
Experiment with a few templates until you find the best project management template for your workflow, then reuse that structure for future projects. The best spreadsheet system is the one your team members will actually keep up to date.