Jira is a project management and issue tracking software.
The name “Jira” is derived from the Japanese word “Gojira” which means “Godzilla”.
Jira has numerous functionalities that can be used in software management. These functionalities include Agile project management, bug tracking, content management, software development and service management.
Jira is especially useful for software development because it has built in templates that can be used to help you create a software development project.
For example Jira has a Scrum template that can be customized to fit in with your requirements.
The template can be used to create the development project, once your development project is created, then you can create your backlog, plan your sprints, and your software releases.
A Scrum board would also be created with different columns. The columns show the different status that the cards are in such as backlog, development, Quality Assurance (Q & A), demo and closed which shows the status of the cards.
Jira has numerous functionalities that can help with project management in software development and they include the following :
- Reporting: Jira has detailed reporting functionalities that are easy to use and understand . Some of the standard Jira reports include
- User workloads.
- Task conclusion times.
- Created vs. completed tasks.
- Time since issues.
- Average age of issues.
Jira also has standard Agile metrics and formats, such as:
- Scrum board tracking.
- Control charts.
- Cumulative flow charts.
- Burn down charts.
- Sprint reports.
- Issue Tracking : Jira can also be used to track issues during software development. It can be used to identify identify and create new issue tasks, prioritize issues for completion, and track them using a workflow.
You can specify details about the issue which helps with replications and resolution.
- Project roadmap: Jira’s project roadmap can be used to show a clear picture of the product you are developing, including a timetable, list of tasks to complete, and the short and long term goals.
These roadmaps can be used by the following stakeholders :
- By executives to track goals and metrics for the project team.
- By the development teams to design a project plan.
- Time tracking: Jira can be used to keep track of the the time spent on tasks and issues. This would help with future sprints planning. The time tracking views available include :
- Working hours per day
- Working hours per week
- Mobile app feature : Jira has a mobile app feature that allows you to manage your projects and backlogs, create and edit your tasks or issues, and receive notifications about project updates.
The mobile app is available for iOS and Android phones, so you can keep up with your project while on the move.
