Is it possible to create a simple Trello-like swimlane view of multiple projects/boards?

Question

Hi Brainstrust!

So I'm trying to figure out the best way to show a simplifed view (Trello-like swimlanes) of all work the Tech team is doing across multiple projects/boards.

I know there is Plans, and it's great, but of the views available, it's a bit much/overwhelming for my Executive level stakeholders as a view.

Ideally there would be a way to create a Parent Epic that all similar epics across the company managed and team managed boards could link into and then show that higher view of where it is e.g. in progress, in development, in UAT etc.

An example of this would be the mobile and web team having their own team managed board where they both have the same feature epic e.g. "Sign In" and then me wanting to be able to show "Sign In" and it's progress simply in a swimlane view, but then linked to each individual epic from the other projects to then be able to see their individual status, e.g. one in To Do and the other in In Progress

Let me know what I could do here to work. I found these videos on YouTube that talk about creating an Initiative item type and then parent linking epics to that, but it wasn't clear if I'd be able to link to the SAME initiative across/from multiple projects in JIRA to then show in Plans. And then from there, even if I can, there is not really (as far as I know) a more simplified swimlane view of projects in 'Plans'

Thank you!

Bill Sheboy · Answer

I suggest considering "why" your executive leadership team views the information, "what" they want to know (i.e., questions to answer), and "what actions" they may take...

If they only need visibility of progress to decide future actions, they could see this from a JPD view (using the linked delivery ticket status values) or from a Jira Software, Kanban board which displays all the relevant issues using a combined filter spanning different projects.  Or, see this information (or needed measures) using built-in or marketplace addon dashboard gadgets.

But if the executives will alter the in-progress work in some way, allowing them to do so directly on the Jira boards may cause unintended consequences for delivery teams, surprising teams when issues move on their own boards.  Perhaps instead consider how the leader-directed actions may be communicated to the teams doing the work.

Nikola Perisic · Answer

@mary.s  for showing the work in progress, you can create a quick filter that can be used by anyone in your project.

For having different boards, you would need to have different filters. Now since there are multiple teams mentioned, I would suggest that you create separate groups for each team and share the filter only with those specific groups.

mary.s · Answer

Thanks @Bill Sheboy My plan is to use Jira Product Discovery to help going forward for new ideas/features, but will still need an overall work in progress board view to show to the ELT.