Atlassian recently made an exciting announcement about combining its Jira Software tools for developers and Jira Work Management tool for business teams into one product. Originally designed for developers and their supporting teams, Jira has also gained popularity among business teams over time. Atlassian recognized this trend and responded by launching various Jira versions tailored to the needs of these teams. Now, with the need for collaboration between developers and business teams at an all-time high, the new Jira aims to break down the traditional barriers.
During the Team ’24 Europe event, Atlassian unveiled the latest updates for the new Jira, including a fresh interface and enhanced customization options. One significant change is the retirement of the term “issues” as the default name for tracked work in Jira. While users can still use “issues” if they prefer, they now have the freedom to choose their own terminology, such as “task,” “subtask,” “blocker,” or “launch.” This shift allows for greater flexibility and personalization in how work is labeled and managed within Jira.
In addition to the new naming options, Jira introduces a streamlined navigation experience that enables users to personalize the left-side navigation bar according to their preferences. Building on the concept of customization, users can now modify background colors, images, and card covers in Jira, similar to the features available in Trello. This level of customization empowers users to create a workspace that aligns with their unique style and workflow.
For program managers, Jira introduces a specialized feature called program boards. These boards offer a middle ground between detailed Kanban boards and team calendars, providing a visual representation of key work items across multiple teams on a customizable schedule. This feature is designed to enhance coordination and visibility for program managers overseeing complex projects involving multiple teams.
Furthermore, Jira now offers project templates that enable organizations to standardize and scale their processes across different teams and departments. This feature streamlines project setup and execution, promoting consistency and efficiency in project management practices.
As part of the product update, Jira incorporates two new AI-powered features to enhance user experience. The first feature, Loom, Atlassian’s asynchronous video messaging platform, can automatically generate a work item or issue based on the content of a video transcript. The second feature enables Jira to automatically break down large work tasks into smaller, more manageable subtasks. While the effectiveness of these AI features will need to be evaluated in practice, they have the potential to streamline workflow and improve productivity for Jira users.
Overall, the latest updates to Jira demonstrate Atlassian’s commitment to innovation and user-centric design. By merging developer tools with business-oriented features, introducing new customization options, and leveraging AI capabilities, Atlassian is poised to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and flexibility within the Jira platform. The future looks promising for Jira users seeking a comprehensive and customizable solution for project management and team collaboration.
