It’s confession time: it took me 8 years to finally build an analog Scrum board for myself.
I’ve been using Agile for personal goals for almost a decade, yet creating a physical board somehow kept getting postponed.
Why did it take me so long?
My main excuse was that I worked outside the home a lot. Coffee shops, libraries, coworking spaces — I was always on the move. I told myself I needed something portable rather than a wall-mounted solution.
So I tried everything except the thing that actually worked.
First, I bounced between productivity apps — Asana, Todoist, and others. They all became overwhelming very quickly. Eventually, all those digital checklists created more anxiety than clarity.
Then I switched to using the Notes app synced between my phone and laptop. And honestly, that worked better. I used it for 4–5 years and even recommended it to my students.
But nothing — absolutely nothing — has been as effective as an analog Scrum board.
How I Finally Built My Analog Scrum Board
Earlier this year I decided to mount a Scrum board on the wall of my home office. Initially, it was just to help me illustrate Agile concepts during private lessons. I thought it would be visually helpful while teaching — and nothing more.
Little did I know it would completely transform my own sprints.
I went to the Dollar Store and Staples, grabbed a few inexpensive supplies, and set everything up in under 20 minutes. I was 9 months pregnant at the time — so if I could do it, anyone can do it.
And yes — it’s 100% renter-friendly.
No nails, no damage, nothing permanent.
What You Need for an Analog Scrum Board
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2 poster boards (choose a colour you like — it becomes part of your office aesthetic)
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A marker to draw the columns
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Double-sided tape to attach the boards to the wall
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High-quality sticky notes (Post-It brand or similar — cheaper ones fall within days)
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Level (optional, but helpful if crooked things drive you crazy)
Total cost: under $20
Total time: under 20 minutes
Results
Six Sprints Later: I’m Never Going Back
After 5–6 sprints using my analog Scrum board, I’m obsessed. I didn’t expect such a simple wall board to outperform every digital tool I’ve ever tried — but it did.
Some of my students built their own versions too, and they’re having the same experience.
And the results have made it crystal clear: this low-tech tool beats high-tech apps for personal productivity — especially when you’re working in sprints.
Why an Analog Scrum Board Works So Well
1. The physical boundaries protect you from overload
My “To-Do” column can physically fit only 5 sticky notes — so I cannot trick myself into overcommitting. Every sprint, I have to choose the five goals that matter most.
Digital apps don’t have limits. You can add 75 goals and it won’t tell a thing.
The wall keeps you honest.
2. It forces visibility — no escaping your goals
When I used apps, I eventually stopped opening them. Too many tasks → too overwhelming → avoidance.
But with the analog Scrum board, it’s right in front of me every day. I don’t have to remember my goals — they’re already staring at me.
And because the board shows only a few goals per sprint, it feels clear instead of intimidating.
3. Weekly planning becomes effortless
Every week, I stand in front of the board and decide which small actions can move each sprint goal forward. I only add tasks for this week — not everything that needs to be done.
It takes 5–10 minutes and feels satisfying instead of heavy.
4. The daily standup is quick
Every morning, I move up to three small sticky notes to In Progress. That’s it. I focus on only three active items at a time. When they’re done, I can pull more.
It keeps me focused and prevents context-switching.
More on daily standups here.
5. Nothing slips through the cracks
The Blocked column is a lifesaver. Anything waiting on someone else or something else goes there — not in my brain.
Free mental space = better work = better life.
6. Moving sticky notes is shockingly motivating
No swipe or click compares to physically taking a sticky note and dragging it across the board — especially into Done.
It’s addictive in the best way.
7. Your identity changes
When you repeatedly move goals into Done, you begin to believe something powerful:
“I am someone who finishes things.”
This identity shift is rocket fuel.
8. Every sprint feels like a fresh start
You can’t beat the feeling of a fresh start when you go from here (end of sprint) 
to here
It feels like a New Year every single sprint. You can learn your lessons from a previous sprint and move on. A clean board is a great visual manifestation of a new sprint, new intentions, new you.
Try It — You Have Nothing to Lose
An analog Scrum board costs less than $20 and takes less than 20 minutes to build.
Worst case scenario — you recycle cardboard and Post-Its.
Best case scenario — you finally find the productivity system that works.
If you are new to Agile philosophy, you can find the core principles on the Start Here page.
