Time to forget the usual mode of product development that treats timeframes like mere suggestions. The Shape-Up method is a no-nonsense, robust approach that cuts right to the chase with its shaping, betting, and building phases.

Developed by Ryan Singer of Basecamp, this approach focuses not just on executing tasks but on ensuring they're the correct ones to pursue.

If you're prepared to leave outdated practices behind and embrace innovation, consider exploring these five Fibery-created templates designed for the Shape-Up method.

What Is the Shape-Up Method?

The Shape-Up method is a laser-focused approach designed for teams who want to see their projects cross the finish line.

With Shape-Up, you can forget the endless tweaking as this method breaks the cycle down into three distinct and straightforward phases:

1. Shaping

2. Betting

3. Building

Shaping is your blueprint phase. Essentially, you’ll be spending six weeks tailoring your product idea until it’s sharp enough to cut the red tape. 

Next is the betting table, where in two weeks, you’ll wager which project makes the cut and gets into the next sprint.

Finally, building, where you will put your head down and churn out six weeks of work that’s followed by a cooling-down period for some ad-hoc and general bug squashing.

This cycle of shaping, betting, and building keeps your team’s eyes on the prize – efficient, effective, and ready for the next big thing.

Why Do I Need a Shape-Up Method Template?

A workflow is no place for clutter and guesswork, so if you’re keen on giving the Shape-Up method a go you will need a template to ensure your team is aligned from the get-go.

When you embed a predefined structure such as a template into your product cycles, you’re effectively removing the need to keep reinventing the wheel every time a new quarter comes around.

Instead, you’ll have a clear roadmap from conception all the way through the execution. Using a Shape-Up Method template isn’t just about making life easier (though it certainly does do that), it’s about transforming that chaotic creativity into deliverable results.

5 Best Shape-Up Method Templates

At Fibery we know one size doesn’t fit all, especially when we’re talking about product development. That’s why we have created these five Shape-Up templates that are designed to flex around your business processes.

These templates can be tweaked to suit your individual needs or used to build new templates from scratch. 

1. Fibery Shape-Up Method Template

At Fibery, we’ve taken a structured approach to project development with our Shape-Up method template. This is to ensure that your ideas move efficiently through the cycle all the way to completion. 

This Fibery template aligns very closely with the original Shape-Up philosophy, with its three pivotal stages—shaping, betting, and building—the backbone of effective product management.

A Project idea gets refined until it is ready to be pitched. This is the shaping process, which occurs in parallel with the previous Build cycle.

During the Betting cycle, one (or more) of the Projects that has been pitched is bet on. This commits the development team to work on this Project during the next Build cycle.

The progress on the Projects that have been bet on can be monitored and updated during the Build cycle. This includes adding detail on Scope and To-do items.

The template is designed to be used with the Fibery platform. If you’re already one Fibery, you can install the template easily by opening the workspace and clicking ‘Use This Template.’ 

If you’re not on Fibery, then ask yourself, ‘why not?’ and sign up for a free trial and test-drive the template.

Shape-Up Project Tracker Template 

If you’re ready to say goodbye to the chaos of juggling multiple projects, our Shape-Up project tracker template is your new command center.

It’s designed to align with the Shape-Up methodology and allows you to monitor and manage the shaping, betting, and building phases across multiple projects.

With this template, you can track everything with ease from the initial concepts, to final delivery checks, and cooling periods with color-coded statuses to keep everyone on the same page – literally.

Download the Shape-Up Project Tracker Template here 🚀

Shape-Up for Marketing Projects Template

 If marketing is your gig then this marketing project template will help to streamline your creative chaos into something resembling order. 

It’s tailored for the whirlwind world of marketing and guides your team through the entire Shape-Up cycle from brainstorming right through to campaign launches. With this template, you can track campaign phases, budget allocations, and ROI with precision. 

Designed for marketers who eat deadlines and metrics for lunch, this template ensures your projects align nicely with your strategic objectives every single time.

Take me to the Shape-Up Marketing Projects Template 🔢

Shape-Up for Software Development Template

For PMs and software devs who want to Shape-Up their sprints, this template is organized into development cycles, feature rollouts, and tech stack updates. 

The template features dedicated columns for sprint planning, bug tracking, and deployment status, ensuring that no code commit goes unnoticed and every release hits its mark.

Get the Shape-Up for Software Development Template here 💻

Shape-Up Sprint Review Template

Optimize your sprint reviews with this Shape-Up template that stays true to the shaping, betting, and building philosophy. 

This template is designed to streamline the review process by compiling results, gathering feedback, and planning future actions efficiently. It features a dashboard that is linked to sprint achievements and an issue-tracking system to make areas for improvement stand out.

Use this template if you and your team are committed to a culture of continuous improvement and learning while using the Shape-Up method.

Download the Shape-Up Sprint Review Template here ✅

Templates are Great, But Fibery is Even Better

Every product development team strives for ultimate clarity and efficiency, and these Shape-Up templates deliver just that. 

Fibery takes it to the next level, with all aspects of your product management converging into one powerful and cohesive platform.

Why choose Fibery? 😎

1. The need for multiple and disjointed tools is eliminated. With Fibery, the entire lifecycle of your projects is all integrated within a single platform. 

2. Your team is kept informed and engaged. With Fibery, updates, progress, and changes are transparently communicated across the board, meaning everyone stays aligned, even the stakeholders.

3. Fibery uses a systematic process that keeps your project delivery both consistent and quick. Fibery's suite of tools is built to fine-tune how you work, so you get better results without the wait.

Upgrade your project management game with Fibery. It's customizable, easy to use without any coding skills needed, and ready for you to make it your own. Get a real feel for smarter project handling—try it out with a 14-day free trial today!