Manage Multiple Projects in Jira with User Story Map

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In agile environments, teams often work in sprints and deal with changes rapidly and effectively. However, when multiple projects run concurrently, the complexity increases. Issues like overlapping resources, conflicting schedules, and maintaining overall quality can become overwhelming. Without a clear system to view and manage these projects, efficiency and productivity can suffer.

By understanding the challenges and embracing a unified approach to project management in Jira, teams can enhance their agility and effectiveness, ensuring that project goals are met with higher consistency and quality. This sets the stage for exploring specific strategies and tools within Jira, such as User Story Mapping, to manage projects more effectively.

Strategies to Manage and Track Multiple Projects

Effectively managing multiple projects requires a solid strategy and the right tools. Here are seven key strategies to help you manage and track multiple projects more efficiently in Jira:

Utilize Agile Boards

Agile boards are central to Jira’s project management capabilities. Create separate boards for different projects or a single board that captures multiple projects. Use swimlanes to segregate tasks by project, ensuring clarity and focus.

Configure Dashboards for Big Picture Views

Dashboards can be customized to provide real-time insights into multiple projects. Set up gadgets that track sprint progress, due dates, workload distribution, and more, offering a consolidated view that aids in decision-making.

Implement Advanced Filters

Jira’s advanced querying language, JQL (Jira Query Language), allows you to create complex filters to view tasks across projects based on specific criteria such as deadlines, responsible teams, or current statuses.

Leverage User Story Mapping Tool

The consolidated view of the user story map allows you to organize epics and user stories across projects, prioritizing features based on overarching goals. It provides a clear picture of how each project contributes to the bigger picture.

Each strategy not only helps in keeping the projects on track but also ensures that the team remains highly productive and aligned with overall business objectives.

Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Multiple Projects in Jira with User Story Mapping

Step 1: Create an Agile Board

There are two main types of Agile boards in Jira: Scrum and Kanban. Here’s a breakdown of how to create them:

1. Access the board creation menu: In Jira, navigate to the search bar and select View all boards or Go to all: Boards depending on your Jira version. Click the Create board button.
2. Choose Scrum or Kanban board: Select Create a Scrum board or Create a Kanban board from the options.
3. Pick projects: Choose the Board from an existing project option then pick the projects you want to manage and their location.

Step 2: Install and Access the User Story Map

To access the user story map tool, users can go to Atlassian Marketplace and install the user story map tool by ProductGo which is developed by DevSamurai.

There are three ways to access the user story map:

1. Find the button to access ProductGo in the top right corner of the agile board.
2. Go to Apps → ProductGo → Agile Boards and find the board you just created.
3. Find the ProductGo option from the board's left side panel.

Step 3: Manage Jira Projects on a User Story Map

Now you are in the user story map by ProductGo in Jira.

1. Add Goals

Start by adding multiple Goals to your map and then organize the underlying Epics. Prioritize features effortlessly by dragging and dropping Epics directly under the designated Goals, ensuring each step aligns precisely with user needs.

2. Manage Swimlanes

The no swimlane mode simplifies multi-project management, offering an uncluttered view of your product backlogs. Navigate through your projects with ease: relocate user stories or epics across the story map board with simple drag-and-drop action, enhancing visibility and accessibility.

Switch to the release/sprint swimlane mode for a transformative perspective on project management. This mode not only enriches your visualization but also integrates the creation of new releases or sprints directly on the board. Any modifications made here are instantly synchronized with your original projects, maintaining consistency and flow.

3. Filter Issues/Cards

ProductGo further empowers teams with advanced filtering capabilities. Utilize JQL to refine and sort the cards on your story map, ensuring you can access the most relevant information swiftly and efficiently.

Final Words

By embracing a unified approach to project management with Jira and leveraging tools like User Story Map by ProductGo, teams can achieve a new level of efficiency and control. This translates to smoother workflows, better resource allocation, and ultimately, successful project delivery across the board.