Issues that live in meeting notes die in meeting notes. This Excel issue log gives every problem a row, an owner, a severity, and a status — the minimum structure that stops things from falling through the cracks between meetings.

Issues vs. risks — and why the log matters

A risk might happen; an issue is happening. Once something is real it needs different handling: assignment, escalation, and a closure record. A disciplined issue log is also your best evidence trail when the project post-mortem asks what was known and when.

What’s inside the template

• Issue register with ID, description, severity, owner, dates, and status
• Status tracking from open through resolution with aging visible
• Summary counts by severity for instant reporting

How to use it

1. Log issues the moment they surface — one line is enough to start.
2. Assign an owner and severity in the same sitting.
3. Review open items weekly; close with a resolution note.

All our templates run in Microsoft Excel 2010 or later on Windows. They use macros for their built-in automation — when you first open one, click Enable Content in the yellow bar and everything works.

Get the template

Download the Issue Tracking Template — $6.99, one-time payment, lifetime use, backed by our refund guarantee. It arrives as an instant download with a quick-start guide.

Need more than one template? The Plus Plan includes 150 professional project management templates for $60 — this one and everything around it.