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Customize Jira

Updated Jan 27, 2020 ·

This notes is based on Atlassian's course on Jira Fundamentals

Personalize Your Settings​

While your team leader or admin handles most configurations, you can adjust a few key personal preferences.

Access Personal Settings​

To access your personal settings:

  • Select your profile picture icon at the top right
  • Select 'Personal settings'
  • Update your preferences and select 'Save changes'

Key Settings​

  1. Timezone: Set local date and time preferences.
  2. Language: Choose preferred language for Jira.
  3. Watch Issues: Follow issues you create/comment on.
  4. Homepage: Set default landing page.
  5. Email Notifications: Customize email updates.

Customization Best Practices​

1. Watch Your Issues​

Stay updated on issues you interact with automatically.

  • Enables notifications for any issue updates
  • Un-watch any issue by clicking the eye icon

2. Set Homepage to 'Your Work'​

Get quicker access to your tasks and projects.

  • Displays recently viewed items and assigned work
  • Helps prioritize important tasks easily

3. Customize Email Preferences​

Control how much email you receive from Jira.

  • Reduce notifications by adjusting preferences
  • Recommended to keep notifications broad for better awareness

4. Use Email Filters​

Organize Jira emails without adjusting notification settings.

  • Set up filters in your email client to categorize Jira messages
  • Keep important notifications visible without cluttering your inbox

Simple Views and Dashboards​

1. Default to Board View​

Use the board view for a quick overview of work.

  • Filter to see only your issues for focused tracking
  • Access this by selecting your profile icon or using the 'Only My Issues' button

2. Reorder Issues on the Board​

Customize how your issues appear on the board.

  • Drag and drop issues to reorganize vertically
  • Experiment with different organization strategies, like by date or initiative

3. Save Searches as Filters​

Streamline issue tracking with saved filters. To save a search as a filter:

  • Set your search specs and click 'Search'
  • Near the top of the page, click 'Save as'
  • Type a name for your filter and click 'Submit'

Once the filter is saved, you can share or export your filter by using the buttons at the top right of your screen.

4. Use Dashboards for an Overview​

Create a dashboard for a comprehensive view of Jira activity.

  • Customize with gadgets for different projects or overall tasks
  • Edit or delete any gadget for tailored information display

Creating dashboards​

1. Create a New Dashboard​

Start by setting up your dashboard.

  • Navigate to Dashboards > Create dashboard in the main menu
  • Name your dashboard, add a description, and select Save

2. Add Gadgets​

Gadgets are essential components of your dashboard.

  • Click Add gadget at the top right of the window
  • Browse available gadgets and select the ones you want to add

Recommended Gadgets:

  • Issues in Progress: Displays all current issues you're working on
  • Assigned to Me: Lists unresolved issues assigned to you
  • Activity Stream: Shows recent project activity
  • Created vs. Resolved Chart: Compares created and resolved issues

3. Organize and Test Your Dashboard​

Finalize your dashboard layout and functionality.

  • Drag and drop gadgets to arrange them as you like
  • Remove any gadgets that aren’t useful and replace them as needed

Connecting Jira with Other Tools​

1. Connect with Confluence​

Integrate Jira with Confluence to streamline project management.

  • Confluence enables team collaboration.
  • 76% of Jira users report faster project delivery.

2. Use Slack for Communication​

Integrate Jira with Slack for real-time project updates.

  • Get instant notifications for issue changes.
  • Create new Jira issues directly from Slack.

3. Collaborate with Microsoft Teams​

Jira and Microsoft Teams integration simplifies collaboration.

  • Create issue tabs within Teams.
  • Track progress easily.
  • Administrator access is required.

4. Schedule Meetings with Zoom​

Integrate Zoom with Jira to schedule meetings effortlessly.

  • Set up meetings directly from Jira issues.
  • Add all watchers to the invite.
  • Meeting details will appear in issue comments.