The Ultimate Guide on Using Jira for Project Management
Introduction
Teams often opt for Jira as a go-to solution for issue tracking, but did you know that this versatile software can also function as a robust project management platform for agile software development projects? Best of all, there’s no need for additional software installation or extra effort on your part.
Jira comes equipped with a pre-built template that provides a streamlined workflow to help you coordinate resources and manage project tasks effectively. In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to kickstart your project management journey with Jira.
What is Jira?
Jira was initially tailored for developers and engineers but has since evolved into a comprehensive project management platform suitable for any team or department looking to streamline task coordination. Moreover, Jira seamlessly integrates with other Atlassian products like Trello and Confluence, as well as various third-party tools.
It’s important to note that this guide focuses on utilizing Jira for project management, not for Jira Service Management (formerly known as Jira Service Desk). While both software share similarities in features, they serve distinct purposes and are not interchangeable products.
Who is Jira for?
Initially designed for software development teams due to its emphasis on issue tracking, Jira is a versatile tool that caters to various teams across different domains. Whether you’re in marketing, design, sales, operations, human resources, legal, finance, or beyond, Jira offers templates to support your project management needs.
How to use Jira for project management
- Choose a Jira project management template
- Invite your teammates to Jira
- Configure your Jira project
- Track your progress
- Complete your project in Jira
While you can create a project from scratch in Jira, it’s more efficient to select and customize one of the existing templates available. Visit Jira’s template library, browse templates suited for your team, and opt for the project management one for this guide’s purposes.
If you’re collaborating on a project with others, invite your teammates to Jira to kickstart project tracking. Add them directly to your project, even if they don’t have an Atlassian account, and specify their role—Admin, Member, or Viewer—based on their permissions and access level.
After setting up your project template and adding team members, configure your project management settings in Jira. Utilize the various project views—Summary, Board, List, Calendar, Timeline, etc.—to add tasks, assign them to team members, set due dates, and customize task details to streamline project organization.
As your team progresses with project tasks, ensure that everyone is updating and completing tasks accordingly. Utilize Jira’s built-in features such as time tracking, summary tab metrics, and various reports to monitor progress effectively and optimize workflows for project success.
Once all tasks are completed, finalize your project in Jira by either setting it to ‘read only’ or archiving it, depending on your future project needs. Wrap up your project efficiently to pave the way for future endeavors.
Key features and benefits of Jira for project management
- Template library
- Team collaboration tools
- Automation
- Reporting and analytics
Jira offers a plethora of templates suited for various teams and project management methodologies, making it effortless to kickstart a new project quickly.
Enhance team collaboration in Jira by utilizing features like tagging, commenting, and integrating with popular work communication tools like Slack for streamlined communication.
Streamline project workflows with Jira’s automation features that automate repetitive tasks and keep projects moving seamlessly without manual intervention.
Access insightful reports and analytics in Jira to monitor project progress, optimize workflows, and make informed decisions based on key metrics embedded within each project.
FAQ
Is Jira suitable for project management?
Yes, while originally tailored for software development teams, Jira can be utilized by diverse team types. For those seeking simpler project management solutions, Trello, another Atlassian software specializing in kanban boards, is worth exploring.
How to use Jira to track project progress?
Monitor project progress in Jira through embedded metrics, deployment insights, and native time tracking features. Leverage these tools to optimize workflows and enhance project efficiency.
Can Jira do Gantt charts?
Jira offers Timeline and Roadmaps that display Gantt charts for single projects or organizational overviews, enabling long-term strategic planning.
How do I use Jira as a project manager?
Begin by creating an Atlassian account, selecting a template, inviting teammates, configuring project data, and tracking progress. Archive or set projects to ‘read only’ upon completion for efficient project closure.