Jira Software: Our Top Pick for Agile Project Management
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Since its development in 2001, Agile project management has quickly gained popularity over traditional top-down project management techniques. Agile management focuses on adaptability and collaboration by breaking large projects down into more manageable tasks and relying heavily on continuous feedback. Used mostly by software development teams, Jira Software is one of the most prominent task management tools on the market today. If you're considering implementing Agile project management, this review will help you determine if Jira Software is the best fit for your team.
What is Jira Software?
Jira Software is a project management software that allows Agile teams to plan tasks, track progress, and release new versions all from within the application. It's a favorite among development teams for its feature-rich functionality and emphasis on Agile processes like Scrum and Kanban.
Jira Software at a glance
Pros
- Jira Software is designed specifically for Agile management. Jira Software supports Scrum and Kanban workflows and allows teams to easily make changes to workflows.
- Workflow templates allow for quick startup. Jira Software has ready-made workflow templates that change and adapt as you work to improve your processes.
- Jira Software has a free plan. If you're part of a small team or just want to try out a project management software, Jira Software offers a free plan for up to 10 members. You can try it out for free and easily upgrade your plan if you need more advanced features.
- Seamless integration with third party apps. You can easily integrate with other popular development and collaboration software like Slack, Power BI, and Adobe in addition to Atlassian's other software offerings.
Cons
- There can be a learning curve for beginner users. Jira Software is feature-rich, which might be intimidating when using the software for the first time.
- Subscription cost can be high per user. As with any project management tool, there can be a steep introductory cost. Jira Software offers a free plan for up to 10 members with limited features, but it can be pricey to upgrade if you're part of a smaller team.
What is Atlassian?
Atlassian is a software company known for their robust suite of products that improve collaboration and project management within teams. Whereas Jira Software is most commonly used by developer teams, Jira Service Management helps teams from IT, customer service, HR, and more deliver faster support. Confluence allows for company-wide collaboration and knowledge sharing in flexible workspaces. Trello streamlines productivity through visual organization in boards and lists. Atlassian's software offers top-of-the-line features and easy integration with other powerful tools.
What are the main features of Jira Software?
In addition to Agile specific tools, there's a wide variety of additional features that allow all teams to better manage and collaborate on projects.
Templates and customizable workflows
Learning a new software can come with a learning curve, but time is of the essence when working on long projects. Jira Software has pre-made templates for functions like Scrum, Kanban, Bug tracking, and DevOps. As you continue to develop your workflows, Jira Software will adapt to the way that you work.
Automations with no code required
Jira Software allows you to save valuable time by creating rules that automate tasks. In just a few clicks you can choose your trigger and automate any task. Users on the free plan get 100 rules each per month, whereas those on the Standard and Premium plans get 500 and 1000, respectively.
Integration with other softwares
Jira Software allows for seamless integration with more than 3,000 other popular softwares with free plug-ins available through the Atlassian marketplace. Boost productivity by spending less time switching applications and managing all parts of your workflow from your Jira Software dashboard.
Detailed reporting with full visibility
The reporting overview allows access to more than 12 easy-to-read visual reports with in-depth insights that allow you to gather more information and make better decisions regarding your team's performance.
Visual timeline planning
Visual timeline planning allows users to stay organized on individual tasks by viewing the bigger picture and viewing progress in real-time for main tasks and the backlog.
How much does Jira Software cost?
Jira Software has three plans and offers monthly and annual payment options to best meet your business needs. Monthly subscriptions use a flexible per-user pricing, so you only pay for the exact number of seats that you need. This pricing is also progressive, meaning the average price per user decreases as the number of users goes up.
However, annual subscriptions are charged according to the tier that your number of users falls into, not the exact number. If you use contractors or have a changing number of users, the monthly payment offers more flexibility. You can use their pricing calculator to decide which plan is a better value for your team depending on the number of users you have and how much flexibility you need.
Jira Software vs Smartsheet
Smartsheet and Jira Software are two of the most used project management tools. Both softwares offer strong features for project management including workflow automation, project planning, and collaboration with third party tools. Smartsheet is a spreadsheet-based management tool with an easy-to-navigate interface. However, it lacks the technical features that Jira Software offers and has no free plan. Jira Software has more advanced features that can be more difficult for beginners to learn. Jira Software also offers Agile specific features that are better suited for those in software or development roles.
| Features | Jira Software | Smartsheet |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | Agile project management features | Project planning and task management |
| Issue Tracking | Robust issue tracking and bug management | Limited issue tracking capabilities |
| Customizability | Highly customizable workflows, fields, and issue types | Customizable columns, forms, and templates |
| Agile Methodologies | Scrum and Kanban support | No explicit support for agile methodologies |
| Gantt Charts | No built-in Gantt chart functionality | Interactive Gantt charts for project scheduling |
| Collaboration | Integration with Confluence for collaborative documentation | Real-time collaboration and file sharing |
| Integration Ecosystem | Integrations with development tools (e.g., Power BI) | Integrations with various business applications |
| Reporting and Analytics | Comprehensive reporting and agile metrics | Customizable dashboards and reporting capabilities |
| Pricing | Free plan available for small teams | Subscription-based pricing with different tiers |
Bottom line.
With its robust offering including backlog management, sprint planning, task boards, and customizable workflows, Jira Software is a powerful tool for any teams looking to streamline their workflows with better Agile processes. Subscription prices for tools can be steep, but the generous free plan gives you the opportunity to introduce a project management tool for your team and see how it can boost productivity before having to fully commit to a subscription.
