Using Jira or Confluence for Project Tracking (Waterfall)

[Douglas Pruiett]

Our team works on projects that are usually "waterfall" in nature, with a starting point and ending point (versus never-ending sprints).  We do not have MS Project (or Project Server).  However, we do have Jira and Confluence. 

We currently use Excel to lay out a project timeline with phases from "Initiation" through "Closure," with each phase having tasks, task assignee, start and end date, status, and comments.  However, we would like a central place (like Jira) where we could set up these timelines and display them during team meetings.  How can this be done in Jira?  We need to set end dates on each task, each phase, and on the project overall.  Thanks for any help!!

P.S. I thought of create an agile project and using sprints as the project phases, placing the tasks under the appropriate sprint, e.g.,

Sprint Name: Initiation

   Task: Meet with Business Owner

   Task: Document Feature Idea

     .

     .

Sprint: Planning

   Task:  Develop Business Requirements

      .

[Brant Schroeder]

Douglas

I would suggest purchasing an app like BigPicture.  You will be able to setup and organize your project on a traditional Gantt and utilize waterfall methodology.  If you have a team that is agile they can still follow the methodology and you can track their work on the gantt in a traditional waterfall methodology.