The Copy Board feature allows you to quickly duplicate an existing Program Board's structure, configuration, and, optionally, its content. It is useful when preparing for a new Program Increment (PI).
Access the Board Settings
Open the Program Board you want to copy.
Click the Board Settings option in the top-right corner of the board.
In the Settings panel that appears on the right, ensure you are on the Settings tab. (Refer to the screenshot below.)
Under the Board section, click the Copy Board option. This will launch the multi-step configuration wizard.
Step 1 of 4: Configure the New Board
This step allows you to define the new board and its target iterations.
Current Board Information:
Here you will see the key details for the source board (Name, PI, Teams, Sprints).
Enter New Board Information:
In the New Board Name field, enter a name for the copied board.
Enter an optional Prefix and select a Color for the new board.
Select Project and Sprints:
Use the Project dropdown to select the project.
In the Select Sprints section, choose the Target Program Increment sprints.
Click Next to proceed to Step 2 of 4.
Step 2 of 4: Review Sprint Mapping
This step ensures the sprints from your source board are correctly aligned with the target PI you selected.
Review the Sprint Mapping Overview:
Check the table to ensure the dates, labels, and iteration paths for the mapped sprints are correctly aligned.
Confirm the Mapping Verified message to ensure that all sprints and team assignments will be successfully preserved.
Click Next to proceed to Step 3 of 4.
Step 3 of 4: Features from Azure DevOps
Select the Features and Epics that will automatically populate your new Program Board.
Choose one of the following options:
Include Features from iteration path (recommended):
This option automatically includes all Features associated with the iteration path you selected in Step 2. You can refine the features to be included by applying additional filters.
Work Item Type: Narrow down to only include Features, Epics, or Tasks.
Iteration Path: This is a required filter used to define the relationship between the Work Item Type you are including and the chosen iteration path. You must select an operator (e.g., Equals, Under, Not Under, In, or Not In) and then select the specific Iteration Path from the dropdown.
Area Path: Allows you to filter features based on their organizational mapping. You can select an operator (Equals, Under, Not Under, In, or Not In) to define the relationship to a specific Area Path.
State: Allows you to include only items that are 'In' or 'Not In' specific workflow states (e.g., "New" or "Approved").
Use Azure DevOps query:
This option allows you to use existing advanced filtering logic defined within Azure DevOps.
You select a pre-defined query from the available list (My Queries or Shared Queries). The system will then use that query's complex criteria to pull the relevant Features onto your new board.
Create Board without Features for now:
Creates an empty board structure without any work items. You can add them later via Board Settings.
After making your selection and applying any necessary filters, click Next to proceed.
Step 4 of 4: Copy Configuration
This is the final step where you confirm the essential settings to carry over to the new board.
Copy Everything (Recommended): This option copies the core structure: Teams, sprints, board layout, and Azure DevOps integration settings to the new board.
Review Optional Settings:
Board Collection: Select the appropriate collection for the new board.
Copy Team Capacity: Select whether to copy the Team Capacity and whether to include the existing sprint values.
Copy Planning Agenda Settings: Select this option to duplicate your existing planning agenda setup.
Copy Program Roles Settings: Select to copy configured program role settings.
Copy Planning SoS Settings: Select to copy Scrum of Scrums (SoS) settings.
Enable WSJIF: Check this box to enable the WSJF scoring fields on the new board.
Click the Copy Board button to initiate the duplication process.
A dialog will appear to confirm the resync operation, and which Azure DevOps users will be used to apply the filters/queries for the board content.
Click Continue to finalize the creation and initial data synchronization of the copied board.
Once completed, your new Program Board will be added to your list of program boards, ready for the next Program Increment planning.
Board Data: Included & Excluded Items
Copied Items | Not Copied (Can be Added Manually) |
Board Settings | PI Objectives |
Team Capacity (If selected in Step 4) | Risk Register Items |
Team & Sprint Structure | WSJF Values (The feature is enabled, but values need to be re-entered) |
Planning Agenda & SoS Settings |
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Program Role Settings |
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