Single Project or Multiple Projects with Jira Planning, which Approach?

[Graham Chilcoat]

I'm currently grappling with determining the optimal approach to tackle a rather multifaceted project. The task at hand involves the overhaul of our audiovisual systems across various facilities. This encompasses a spectrum of activities including developing new training materials, coordinating installation teams across multiple locations, managing procurement processes encompassing product ordering and tracking, organizing travel arrangements, devising marketing strategies, updating security documentation, revising client terms, and more.

I'm wondering whether it's advisable to consolidate all these elements into a single project or to compartmentalize them and integrate them using Jira's "Planning" template. What do you think would be the most effective course of action?

[Brant Schroeder]

@Graham Chilcoat it really depends on how your team will work and how you will be monitoring and controlling the project.  Here are a couple of examples that might help you as you build the project out. 

I had a project that we ran in a single project in Jira as we implemented and rolled out a new single sign on solution.  It required a central team to work with many different units across the organization and coordinate the rollout.  Each unit had a different scope of work but needed to follow the same processes moving forward.  The documentation, training materials, implementation process, etc. were consistent for all of the units.  We tracked this in a single project because of this.

In another project we had four major areas that would be impacted.  Each area needed different documentation, training materials, processes, etc. moving forward.  In this case we had four different projects to track work.  We tried to keep as many of the workflows and processes aligned as possible but there were unique steps to each area.  Many of the units had work in each area and by using planning we were able to get a more clear picture about everything that needed to be done in each of the 4 projects.

Hope this helps.