What is the best way to categorize issues so that I can show ratio of work by category?

[Tanya W]

I would like a way to categorize types of work such that I can capture the ratio of stories in each category and display it in a dashboard.  I would like to be able to track these categories across multiple releases and projects.  What is the best way to do this?  I have considered using a component for each category, creating a custom field for each category that would be added to each issue type, or creating a separate issue type for each category. I'm not sure if any of these approaches is the best.  Looking for some insight on how others have done this. 

[Ravi Sagar _Sparxsys_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @Tanya W 

Yes custom field can work. You can then create a filter and then use that filter in various dashboard gadget to create reports based on that category field like a simple Pie Chart.

Before you create a new custom field try to use Components field. Components in Jira also bring more features like auto assigning issues to Components' lead (if configured).

Ravi

[Tanya W]

Thanks @Ravi Sagar _Sparxsys_ . Out of curiosity, do you see any advantage or disadvantage to creating separate issue types for each category?

[Ravi Sagar _Sparxsys_]

Create separate Issue Types when you have separate process for those issues like Bug are different from Stories and when you need to capture/track different information for those activities/tasks.