Sprint planning guide
Project sprint end date business days
Project sprint end date business days helps you set sprint timelines without counting weekends. This page shows 10, 15, and 20 business day examples, how holiday weeks shift end dates, and how a business day calculator lets you exclude weekends and holidays while keeping assumptions clear.
Published: December 28, 2025 · Updated: December 28, 2025 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only; not legal, HR, or project management advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- See the Privacy Policy; do not share confidential project details.
Quick answer: project sprint end date business days
- Business day sprints skip weekends and, if you choose, holidays.
- A holiday week can move the end date without changing sprint length.
- Save scenarios to compare different calendars and assumptions.
Why use business days for sprint end dates
Business day counting removes non working days from sprint length. Team calendars, company closures, and regional holidays mean two weeks on a calendar rarely match ten business days. Aligning sprint planning with the actual working week avoids surprises.
Key settings that change the result
- Weekend pattern (Sat–Sun vs a custom workweek).
- Holiday preset and year.
- Custom closure days (offsites, shutdowns).
- Count start date as day 1 (inclusive counting) or start next business day.
- Adjustment rule if the end date lands on a non working day.
Worked examples: 10, 15, 20 business days
Example A: 10 business day sprint
Inputs: start Monday, length 10 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, holidays off. Estimated end date: following Friday (illustrative).
Example B: 15 business day sprint with one holiday
Inputs: start Wednesday, length 15 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, one holiday inside sprint. Estimated end date: pushed by one business day (illustrative).
Example C: 20 business day sprint crossing months
Inputs: start near month end, length 20 business days, weekend Sat–Sun, holidays on. Estimated end date: mid next month (illustrative).
Holiday week impact
Turning holidays on means each holiday inside the sprint adds a skipped day. A sprint that ends on a Wednesday with holidays off could land on a Friday when one holiday is added. Keep “holidays off” and “holidays on” scenarios side by side so the team can see the difference.
Planning tips for teams
- Decide what “day 1” means and write it down.
- Use the team’s working week, not assumptions.
- Pick the correct holiday calendar for where work happens.
- Add planned closure days early (shutdowns, offsites).
- Note cutoff times if work submitted late moves to the next day.
- Keep the sprint end date as an estimate and review at checkpoints.
- Save and share scenarios if your site supports links.
How to calculate in the tool
- Start date = sprint start.
- Add business days = sprint length (10, 15, or 20).
- Set weekend pattern and holiday preset.
- Add custom closure dates if needed.
- Save scenarios for each sprint length to compare.
FAQ
How do I calculate a sprint end date in business days?
Pick the start, add the sprint length in business days with your weekend and holiday rules, and read the resulting date.
Do holidays count in a sprint timeline?
Only if you include them. Each holiday inside the sprint adds a skipped day.
What is the difference between 10 business days and two weeks?
Ten business days skip weekends and selected holidays, so the calendar span is usually longer.
Should I count the start date as day 1?
Use your team’s rule. Inclusive starts day one; exclusive starts next business day.
What if the end date lands on a weekend?
Use an adjustment rule to move forward or backward to the nearest business day.
How do I handle teams in different countries?
Apply the calendar for where the work happens. Run separate scenarios if calendars differ.
Can I plan multiple sprint lengths quickly?
Yes. Save 10, 15, and 20 business day scenarios with the same settings to compare.
Is this project management advice?
No. This is educational guidance. Follow your delivery practices and policies.