Add description for Project field

Question

We have several projects in our JIRA instance and many are widely available.  Sometimes, users aren't given good guidance and aren't told to select an appropriate project for their new issue and just leave the default project.  This is fine if they've created an issue before as the project is likely appropriate. But if they're brand new, it ends up defaulting to a project that is usually not the one they want.  Luckily, most of them come to me, the admin, and I know who to reroute things to, but I'd like to help users out a bit.

Is there a way to add a description to the Project field so that I can add wording such as "Please select an appropriate project" that will display on the screen?  Yes, it seems silly and I don't think it's necessary for most users but I'm trying to help with an issue that has been plaguing some of our less observant users.

I know I can add a description to custom fields but I don't see a way to change system fields.

Any help is appreciated!

Renjith Pillai · Answer

May be enable the Text gadget in JIRA, and add a short description on the System Dashboard page which tells the users how to create issues and how to select the projects. You can also give examples if needed. As the text gadgets supports HTML, you can give have a guide with pictures showing sample issues.

https://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA/Adding+the+Text+Gadget

https://confluence.atlassian.com/display/JIRA/Configuring+the+Default+Dashboard

Kim Wall · Answer

That's a little heavy handed and it takes up a lot of screen real estate.  I've added instructions to the system dashboard, but people don't always read those.  I really just want the instructions to show up next to the Project field.

Thanks!

darylchuah · Answer

Perhaps you can try to Configure an Announcement Banner to create awareness and inform user about which project to be select for the appropriate issue.