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How to monitor whether tasks are still within the original estimation?

Marco Tacq

Within our projects we want to focus more on whether tasks are done within the original estimation. The reason for that is managing the project better on the control parameter money and to improve the process of estimating for next projects.

I'd like to create a report/dashboard that contains the following: A list with tasks and sun tasks and per (sub) task the Original estimate, Time spent, Time remaining, Forecast (= Time spent + Time remaining) and Result (= Original estimate - Forecast). At the bottom of the list I'd like to have a line with totals.

Additional remarks:

1. I understand that the fields Original estimate, Time spent and Time remaining are standard, the other fields not.

2. If a task has sub tasks, the numbers of the sub task must be rolled up into task.

Does anyone have done this before and/or has some ideas how to do this?

Accepted answers

Nick [CodeCove]

Hey @Marco Tacq

Jira doesn't have calculated fields, so Forecast and Result won't work natively. Here's what people do:

JQL + CSV export — filter with originalEstimate > 0, export Original Estimate / Time Spent / Remaining to a spreadsheet, calculate there. Free, works for periodic checks.

Subtask roll-up — Jira Cloud aggregates subtask time in the parent's time tracking panel, but it's flaky in list views. Workaround: Automation for Jira rule on worklog change → sum into a custom field on parent.

EazyBI — custom reports with calculated columns and hierarchy rollup. Paid though.

I'm building a Forge app called Timesheets for Jira covers a lot of this. — in the timesheet grid you can turn on Estimate, Remaining, and Util% columns and see estimate vs actual per issue. Also has a Capacity Variance report with forecast and pace. Free on the Marketplace right now, check it out if interested.

Link:
https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1953748476/timesheets-for-jira-time-tracking-approvals

abhishek_sharma03

1. Jira lacks a "Totals" row and real-time math columns like Forecast or Result.

2. Use the Structure (by Tempo) app. It handles Task/Sub-task nesting perfectly and allows for Formula Columns. You can define Forecast as timeSpent + remainingEstimate and Result as originalEstimate - Forecast with automated totals at the bottom.

3. If you're on Jira Premium, Advanced Roadmaps (Plans) provides native roll-ups for estimates and spent time, though custom math is limited.

4. Use the Jira Cloud for Excel/Google Sheets add-on. Exporting the raw data (Spent, Original, Remaining) allows you to run precise formulas and "Totals" rows in a format that is actually boardroom-ready.

All comments

Trudy P Claspill

Hello @Marco Tacq

Welcome to the Atlassian community.

Are you open to using third party apps to achieve your requirement?

Nick [CodeCove]

Hey @Marco Tacq

Jira doesn't have calculated fields, so Forecast and Result won't work natively. Here's what people do:

JQL + CSV export — filter with originalEstimate > 0, export Original Estimate / Time Spent / Remaining to a spreadsheet, calculate there. Free, works for periodic checks.

EazyBI — custom reports with calculated columns and hierarchy rollup. Paid though.

abhishek_sharma03

1. Jira lacks a "Totals" row and real-time math columns like Forecast or Result.

3. If you're on Jira Premium, Advanced Roadmaps (Plans) provides native roll-ups for estimates and spent time, though custom math is limited.

Marco Tacq

Hi Nick, thanks for your answer and your suggestions. I will look into this.

Marco Tacq

Hi Abhishek, thanks for your answer. I think I'll go for the export first.

Marco Tacq

Hi Trudy, I hope I can do without. Earlier, I received some pointers how to solve it.

Marlene Kegel - codefortynine

Hello @Marco Tacq,

If you decide to try out a Marketplace App, you can also check out Quick Filters for Jira Dashboards (disclaimer I am working on the team who develops Quick Filters for Jira Dashbaords).

This is how you could configure the "Quick Work Item Statistics" gadget from our app to get more transparency on the topic you described.

Of course you can define other fields for the x- and y-achsis. On top of that you can filter the whole gadget dynamically, e.g. per Epic or Assignee.

quick-filters-jira-dashboards_work-item-statistics_time-spent-estimate.png

Marco Tacq

Hi Marlene, thanks for your reply. The decision to use an app has not been made yet. If so, I will probably check out your solution too.

Anastasia Andriyanova _Teamlead_

Hi @Marco Tacq,

As a developer building time-tracking solutions for Jira, I’ve seen many teams start with Excel exports. It’s a good starting point, but eventually, you hit the "threshold of pain": manual reports are outdated instantly, and sub-task roll-ups in spreadsheets are a nightmare to maintain.

We are currently rolling out TeamTime 2.0 to solve exactly this. It should be available for trial in the Marketplace in the coming days.

What it will handle for you natively:

Unlimited Hierarchy: No more manual math; it sums up every minute from sub-tasks to the top level automatically.
Sprint & Version Tracking: Monitor whether your current scope is still within the original estimation directly in Jira.
Direct Export: If you still need a report for the boardroom, you can export pre-calculated hierarchical data in one click.

We are also working on a per-user breakdown for the next update. Since we are actively optimizing the app right now, I’d love to hear your feedback on how you’d prefer that "Forecast" data to be visualized.

Feel free to check it out or start a trial here: https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1220287/teamtime-resource-reports-estimate-vs-worklog-sumup

Hope this helps you get out of spreadsheet-hell!

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