Power BI Connector for Jira 2024 Edition: New Features for Advanced Jira Reporting

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Organizations increasingly rely on Jira reporting to drive their projects forward, but when handling enormous amounts of structured and sometimes unstructured data from different data sources, they encounter specific challenges in extracting meaningful insights. Enter the Power BI Connector for Jira 2024 Edition - a transformative solution updated to overcome these reporting challenges, providing teams with the advanced features they need to take their Jira reporting to the next level. From presenting Power BI dashboard templates for Jira Data Center users to introducing Atlassian Data Residency support to seamlessly integrating Power BI reports as gadgets into Jira dashboards.

This post explores the details of these updates, clarifying how Power BI helps to analyze Jira data in ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends to draw conclusions from a large and detailed data set using Power BI Jira Connector. 

How Power BI Improves Jira Reporting

Integrating Jira and Power BI offers substantial benefits in optimizing project management, staying current on operations, and identifying and developing new strategic business opportunities. As a powerful tool for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as open issues, project velocity, and hours consumed per project, Jira serves as a vital data source. However, its native reporting functionality has limitations, prompting users to seek external Business Intelligence (BI) solutions like Power BI.

Power BI allows the integration of Jira data from diverse sources, including a cloud-based issue-tracking system and an on-premise database from an internal time-keeping system. This integration streamlines Jira reporting processes and enables a more in-depth analysis by combining data from different channels, offering Jira users a more agile and informed approach to managing projects.

Power BI Jira integration empowers users to build dashboards encompassing multiple Jira projects, create dynamic reports with customized filters based on Jira custom fields, and seamlessly merge Jira data with information from ERP, CRM, ITSM, and other sources. Sharing Power BI Jira reports with non-Jira users who may need access to the Jira instance. Moreover, the automated updates ensure near real-time reporting, providing the most accurate understanding of the project's situation. 

Benefits of Power BI Jira Integration

Jira integration with Power BI offers a pack of benefits for reporting and data analysis:

Advanced Visualization and Reporting Functionality

Power BI is preferred when seeking a more functional and dedicated solution for visualization and reporting. Its tools provide enhanced capabilities for transforming and presenting complex data, offering a superior Jira reporting experience. 

Custom Report Creation with Filtering Options

If the need arises to create custom reports based on filtering Jira custom fields, Power BI stands out. Its flexibility allows for building Jira reports that align with specific data requirements, providing a more personalized and detailed analysis.

Cross-Project Reporting for Multiple Projects 

For organizations overseeing various projects, Power BI proves advantageous by providing cross-project reporting capabilities. It empowers users with an integrated perspective on project scope, progress, and interdependencies, enhancing the accuracy of data comprehension.

Integration with Multiple Data Sources

Power BI excels with multiple data sources such as ERP, CRM, Jira, etc. Its capability to consolidate and analyze data from diverse platforms provides a unified reporting platform, streamlining the reporting process and improving data accuracy.

Comprehensive Project Overview with Power BI Dashboard

For organizations wanting a comprehensive overview of projects, a Power BI dashboard that can list multiple reports in a single view is invaluable. This eagle-eye view enhances project monitoring and decision-making, providing a central hub for key Jira data insights.

Cross-Organizational Report Sharing with Automatic Updates

Power BI is the preferred choice when there's a need to share reports across users and organizations that don't have direct access to Jira. The ability to provide secure links and automatic updates ensures external stakeholders stay informed in real time without requiring access to the Jira instance.

New Features of Power BI Connector for Jira 

The Power BI Connector for Jira, serving as a bridge between two platforms, has undergone significant advancements, presenting new features to empower Jira reporting for more dynamic and practical data management. Let's explore the latest updates of the Power BI Connector for Jira and how they boost Jira reporting.

Power BI Report Gadget for Jira Dashboards 

Now, Jira users can seamlessly integrate Power BI report gadgets into their Jira dashboards using the Power BI Connector for Jira. This advancement allows users to monitor critical reports based on Jira data without switching between different software tools, transforming Jira Dashboards into a dynamic and comprehensive solution for efficient project management, data analysis, and advanced reporting capabilities.

Jira dashboards are the primary hub for accessing Jira data and connected systems. The gadgets on these dashboards are interactive widgets that summarize Jira projects and issue data within the Power BI reports. The flexibility of Jira dashboards allows for customization, offering tailored layouts and gadget appearance adjustments for specific projects' unique needs and analytics criteria.

Empowered by the Power BI Report gadget, Jira dashboards enable the creation of customized reporting pages for specific projects and reporting requirements. These reports can be easily shared with particular users, groups, or the entire organization, enhancing project-specific reporting and reducing guesswork through concrete insights. The integration ensures up-to-the-minute data availability within Jira, promoting increased agility and quicker responses to issues while minimizing project risks. Follow the provided step-by-step instructions to add the Power BI Report gadget to your Jira dashboard.

Power BI Dashboard Templates for Jira Data Center / Server 

Power BI dashboard templates for Power BI Connector extend Jira Data Center and Server user's capabilities. Building upon the success among Jira Cloud users, these templates streamline the Jira reporting process, offering users a simplified and easier way to visualize their Jira data. With pre-configured data sources embedded in each template, users no longer need to manually select tables and fields, reducing the time and effort required for report generation.  

Power BI dashboard templates allow the straightforward Jira data export into Power BI, promoting a seamless flow of information, covering common reporting needs, and giving users a jumpstart in creating visually appealing reports without starting from scratch. This enhancement in Power BI Connector for Jira expedites the reporting process and makes it more accessible, user-friendly, and efficient, empowering Jira users to derive accuracy in data representation. 

1. Jira Project Dashboard

Monitor the overall project health with metrics like total issues and completed issues while visualizing percentage breakdowns by status, time, and priority.

2. Jira Timework Report

Analyze time distribution at both project and issue levels, ensuring effective time management with visual charts and key indicators at your fingertips.

3. Jira Sprint Dashboard 

Navigate and analyze sprint performance with details on original and remaining estimates, accessing detailed information about open issues and time spent per issue type.

4. Jira Sprint Time Report

Analyze time metrics for specific sprints, comparing original and remaining estimates with an illustrative chart, empowering efficient time management and providing a clear understanding of productivity throughout the sprint duration.

5. Jira Service Management Dashboard

Obtain a comprehensive snapshot of service management status, effortlessly tracking metrics like total created and closed issues, average resolution times, and workflow efficiency. Understand long-term trends through a cumulative view of created versus closed issues.

6. Jira ITSM Issues Created Report

Focus on issue creation dynamics with insights into overall issue volume, daily trends, issue types, and detailed views for effective issue management.

7. Cumulative Flow Diagram

Get a complex view of issue progression by detailing the total number of issues across different statuses. Understand the project status with in-progress, to-do, and done issues, uncovering potential bottlenecks and streamlining workflow efficiency.

To start using Jira Power BI Dashboard Templates, please consult the provided documentation for guidance and instructions.

Atlassian Data Residency Support 

A significant update has been introduced to the Power BI Connector for Jira, introducing Atlassian Data Residency Support. This feature empowers users to choose a specific region for storing and processing their data, ensuring compliance with local data protection regulations and effectively addressing privacy concerns. The primary goal of this enhancement is to provide users with greater control and administration over their data within the Power BI Connector for Jira.

With Atlassian Data Residency support, Jira users now have the flexibility to designate specific geographic regions for hosting their Jira data, including options like the United States, the European Union (Dublin), Australia (Sydney), Germany (Frankfurt), and Singapore. Learn how to set up Data Residency Support in Power BI Connector for Jira and discover the power of data control and compliance.

The Atlassian Data Residency support becomes especially valuable for industries handling sensitive or confidential data. It ensures that users can assert control over the geographic region where their Jira data are hosted, thus ensuring compliance with regional data protection and privacy regulations. This level of control is particularly crucial for industries that prioritize the security and integrity of their data, offering a tailored solution for data hosting preferences.

This newfound capability addresses a critical point for companies where data hosting is a pressing concern. Now, with the ability to choose the hosting region through the Power BI Connector for Jira, companies can break free from reporting limitations imposed by regional constraints. This feature provides enhanced control over data and unlocks a world of reporting possibilities, transforming how companies leverage Power BI reporting for their analytical needs.

How to Export Jira Data to Microsoft Power BI 

The Power BI Jira Connector establishes a direct integration between Jira and Power BI by utilizing the Jira Cloud REST API through the OData method. Users can set up this connection by copying a standard OData URL, including the Service Root URL, Resource Path, and hash. This straightforward process facilitates seamless Jira and Power BI integration, empowering users for enhanced data management and analytics.

Before exporting Jira data to Power BI, ensure the Power BI Connector for Jira is installed from the Atlassian Marketplace.

Create Access Token

An Access Token operates similarly to a password, necessitating individual creation by each user for security reasons. Jira Administrators are unable to generate Access Tokens on behalf of other users.

While logged into your Jira Cloud instance, navigate to Apps and select Power BI Connector for Jira.

Click on Tokens in the left-hand menu and choose Create new token.

Ensure you are on the Access token tab. Enter a short, memorable label in the Label* field, then click Create.

Click Copy.

Make sure to copy your access token before closing the window, as it won't be visible again. This access token serves as a password when connecting to Microsoft Power BI. Finally, click Close. Keep your access token secure, as it grants access to your Jira data.

Create Data Source in Power BI Connector for Jira 

While logged into your Jira Cloud instance, go to Apps and choose Power BI Connector for Jira. Click on Create data source.

In the Name* field, provide a name for your data source. Adding a description is optional and can include relevant information or hints for future reference. 

Sharing the data source is optional but can be done with users with permissions for Power BI Connector for Jira. Administrators automatically have access to all data sources.

In the Users field, enter the username(s) you wish to share the data source with. As you type, a dropdown list with username suggestions will appear.

You can also specify groups by selecting the Group field and choosing from the available groups in the dropdown list.

Choose the fields you want in your data source.

Apply filters and click Save. Different filter groups are available: 

• No filters (default): Retrieves all data; choose this option to export all existing issues.
• JQL (Jira Query Language): Enables you to create custom queries for precise issues, projects, or other searches in Jira.

Basic: Use standard field filters; set up a Basic filter by selecting the Issue filter button.

Export Jira Data into Power BI 

To Export Jira Data into Microsoft Power BI Desktop, follow these steps:

1. Copy the URL of your data source.

2. Open Microsoft Power BI Desktop, click "Get data," and choose OData.

3. Paste the data source link into the URL field and click OK.

4. Choose Basic authentication. Enter the email address associated with your Jira Cloud instance in the User name field. Enter the access token you created as the password in the Password field.

5. Select the level to apply these settings, recommending the lowest level if you have multiple Jira instances with Power BI Connector installed on each. 

6. Click Connect.

      7. Choose the tables you need and click Load. Once the data is loaded, you can build graphs and dashboards based on the imported Jira data in Microsoft Power BI.

To Export Data into Microsoft Power BI Service (Online), follow these steps:

1. Copy the URL of your data source. When signing in to Microsoft Power BI Service (Online), click + New and choose Dataflow.

3. Select the Define new tables option.

4. Choose OData; you can use the search bar for faster access.

5. Paste the data source link into the URL* field. In the Authentication kind field, select Basic. Enter the email address associated with your Jira Cloud instance in the Username field. Enter the access token you created as the password in the Password field.

6. Click Next.

      7. Select the tables you want to export and click Transform data.

8. Perform any necessary transformations and then click Save & close.

Conclusion  

The Power BI Connector for Jira 2024 Edition revolutionizes Jira reporting, introducing features including Power BI Dashboard Templates, Atlassian Data Residency Support, and Power BI report gadgets seamlessly integrated into Jira dashboards. These enhancements streamline reporting processes, ensure data control, and unlock extensive possibilities for organizations handling sensitive data. The Power BI Connector bridges Jira and Power BI, revolutionizing project management with dynamic Jira reporting and efficient data analysis.

[Jonathan Santos]

HI @Anna Odrynska - Alpha Serve We use this solution daily on many clients, let's try this. Thank you

[Khrystyna Shparyk]

As always - a great article! 

[Huwen Arnone _Deiser_]

Very in-dept article and insightful, thank you @Anna Odrynska - Alpha Serve 😎