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Spotlight
PAGE: https://alison.com/course/google-sheets-masterclass-create-and-analyse-spreadsheets
PROMISE: Master pivot tables and data analysis to structure game development tracking efficiently.
WHO: Project managers handling high-volume data in lightweight web-based environments.
WHYNOW: Your current manual tracking method is slowing down iteration speed during the sprint phase.
DESC: Learn how to create, edit and share spreadsheets for free in this Google Sheets tutorial that also explains how to use Google Forms to create forms and quizzes.
BEFORE: Tracking game bugs in unsorted flat lists
BEFORE: Unable to visualize development milestones
BEFORE: Unclear if Sheets supports your data volume
AFTER: Sorting issues via dynamic pivot views
AFTER: Spotting trends through applied analysis
AFTER: Confident in the tool’s structural limits
GAIN: Ability to create dynamic summaries of complex game data using pivot tables
GAIN: Skill to interpret raw numbers for actionable project insights
GAIN: Clarification of the platform’s core functions for specific tracking tasks
STEP: You struggle to categorize hundreds of bug reports and feature flags in a single sheet. || Pivot Tables || You organize raw game data into clear summaries by platform, priority, or developer assignment without manual filtering.
STEP: You need to visualize sprint progress and resource allocation but only have raw numbers. || Data Analysis || You interpret trends in your project timeline to identify bottlenecks before they impact the release date.
STEP: You are unsure if your spreadsheet structure supports the complex logic of your game metrics. || Outline the functions and benefits of Google Sheets || You validate that the platform handles your specific tracking requirements before investing time in building formulas.
NOTFOR: Users needing API integration or advanced VBA scripting for automated pipelines
NOTFOR: Teams already proficient in intermediate spreadsheet modeling who need only advanced formula deep dives
FACT: Average duration: 3-4 Hours (Contains Video)
FACT: CPD-accredited certificate available
FACT: Advanced level
COVERS: Discuss the features of Google Sheets and Google Forms
COVERS: Outline the functions and benefits of Google Sheets
COVERS: Explain how to access Google Sheets and work with its environment, cells, sheets and spreadsheets
COVERS: List the options found in the Google Sheets Menu and describe their capabilities
COVERS: Describe how to insert text, images, objects, tables and graphs with Google Sheets
COVERS: Summarise the types of Google Sheets templates and their applications
COVERS: Explain how to create and customise forms using Google Forms
COVERS: Discuss how to change your form to quizzes
COVERS: Data Analysis
COVERS: Pivot Tables
COVERS: Google Sheets
MODULE: Getting Started With Google Sheets || Introduction to Google Sheets | Getting Started With Google Sheets | Google Sheets Menu | Classwork(Google Sheets) | Google Sheets Templates | Google Forms
What you are probably seeing
Your task board shows many open items but no clear dependency paths between coding and art assets.
The budget sheet displays total spend but lacks a formula to alert you when a specific category exceeds its cap.
Why it happens
Standard card boards track status but do not calculate cumulative workload or remaining budget automatically.
Manual data entry between separate sheets creates gaps where formula logic is needed to connect tasks to financial impact.
What changed recently
2026-10-07 · You don’t *have* to use Jira, Trello, etc. to do game dev project management.
Google Sheets and some formulas are often good enough.
Claude workspace beta now writes formulas in Sheets for that gap:
• Claude workspace beta writes formulas in Google Sheets.
• Approval cards pause before any changes are applied.
• Budget edits can remain under manual approval.
Source: bluesky
Step by step
1. Create a single sheet that lists every development task alongside its assigned resource and estimated hours.
2. Write a sum formula that aggregates hours by department to spot where workload is concentrated.
3. Add a formula that compares actual spend against the budget limit for each category.
4. Set up a conditional format that highlights rows where the calculated hours exceed the available capacity.
5. Review the highlighted rows weekly to adjust task assignments before the next sprint begins.
Ways to go further
Start here: Google Sheets Masterclass: Create and Analyse Spreadsheets For when you need to master complex data analysis techniques. Open the free course on Alison ↗
Better fit: Using Google Sheets for Productivity For when you want to set up a structured productivity system. Open the free course on Alison ↗
Best when: Basics of Google Sheets For when you want to learn the basic functions of spreadsheet software. Open the free course on Alison ↗
Affiliate links: CHEAPUNO may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
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