Revolutionize Your Objective Management with Jira Align

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the Objectives Tree Experience
3. Purpose of the Objectives Tree
4. UI Updates in Jira Align
5. Using the Context Bar and In-Page Filters
6. Navigating the Objectives Hierarchy
7. Managing Status and Key Results
8. Linking Work Items to Objectives
9. Tracking Key Result Progress
10. Collaborating and Visualizing Objectives

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the updated Objectives Tree Experience in Jira Align. We will discuss its purpose, the UI updates, and how it can help teams, programs, solutions, and portfolios achieve their goals. We will also Delve into the usage of status and key results in tracking progress and linking work items to objectives.

Overview of the Objectives Tree Experience

The Objectives Tree Experience in Jira Align has undergone significant updates with the release of version 10.112 on October 7th, 2022. This new experience focuses primarily on objectives and key results, with goals set to be integrated in future releases. We will take a closer look at the hierarchy of goals and objectives and how it helps communicate desired outcomes from both technical and business perspectives.

Purpose of the Objectives Tree

The Objectives Tree in Jira Align is designed to provide a visual representation of the hierarchy of goals and objectives. It helps teams, programs, solutions, and portfolios understand and achieve their desired outcomes. By using this feature, users can effectively communicate the high-level goals and align their work to achieve them.

UI Updates in Jira Align

The Objectives Tree in Jira Align introduces major UI updates, moving away from the traditional Jira Online user interface. Atlassian has aligned the UI with other Atlassian Cloud tools, providing a consistent and familiar experience. We will explore the new UI and discuss its potential implementation in other areas of Jira Align.

Using the Context Bar and In-Page Filters

The Context Bar in Jira Align serves as a giant filter, allowing users to narrow down the information they view. We can choose the level or tier of objectives and goals, narrow down to specific portfolios or program increments, and Apply additional filters Based on text search, status, owners, and individual objectives. We will explore how these filters help in focusing our view and easily finding Relevant information.

Navigating the Objectives Hierarchy

The Objectives Tree in Jira Align provides a hierarchical view of objectives, similar to backlog views. Users can expand or collapse the hierarchy to see the full list of objectives. The GRID view displays relevant information such as work item number, title, status, and key results. We will guide You through the different levels of objectives and how to navigate the hierarchy effectively.

Managing Status and Key Results

In Jira Align, objectives can have key results that Outline how success will be measured. We will explore how to Create and manage key results, including setting target metrics, updating progress, and checking in. While status and key results are manually updated fields, we will discuss possible approaches and collaborations to ensure accurate tracking of progress.

Linking Work Items to Objectives

One of the powerful features of the Objectives Tree in Jira Align is the ability to link work items to objectives. By linking work items, teams can understand how their work contributes to overall objectives. We will demonstrate how to link epics, stories, or other work items to objectives and discuss best practices for effective linking.

Tracking Key Result Progress

Tracking key result progress is crucial for measuring success and understanding the impact of work on objectives. The Objectives Tree in Jira Align provides a visual representation of key result progress in the form of scores and completion percentages. We will explain how to interpret these metrics and utilize them to track progress effectively.

Collaborating and Visualizing Objectives

Jira Align allows teams to collaborate on objectives and Visualize the entire hierarchy. We will discuss collaboration features and explore the Objectives Tree view, where objectives, key results, and owners are displayed. Additionally, we will touch upon the roadmap feature in Jira Align and how it aligns with the objectives and goals.

Article

Introduction

Jira Align, a robust project management tool offered by Atlassian, has recently introduced the updated Objectives Tree Experience with the release of version 10.112 on October 7th, 2022. This new experience focuses on helping teams, programs, solutions, and portfolios achieve their goals through effective communication and alignment. In this article, we will explore the revamped Objectives Tree Experience in Jira Align, delving into its purpose, UI updates, and various features that empower users to track and visualize objectives.

Overview of the Objectives Tree Experience

The Objectives Tree Experience in Jira Align serves as a powerful tool that enables users to view the hierarchy of goals and objectives in their projects. By providing a clear visual representation, it helps teams understand the desired outcomes and align their work accordingly. This update primarily focuses on objectives and key results, while goals are expected to be integrated in future releases.

Purpose of the Objectives Tree

The Objectives Tree plays a vital role in communicating the high-level goals and objectives that teams, programs, solutions, and portfolios strive to achieve. It brings Clarity to the desired outcomes from both technical and business perspectives. By visualizing the objectives hierarchy, users can better understand how their work contributes to overarching goals and ensure everyone is aligned towards a common objective.

UI Updates in Jira Align

With the updated Objectives Tree Experience, Jira Align has undergone significant UI updates. Atlassian has moved away from the traditional Jira Online user interface, aligning it with other Atlassian Cloud tools to provide consistency across their suite of products. This UI update brings a fresh and modern look to Jira Align and sets the stage for potential improvements in other areas of the platform.

Using the Context Bar and In-Page Filters

The Context Bar in the Objectives Tree Experience acts as a powerful filter, allowing users to focus on specific information relevant to their context. By selecting the level or tier of objectives or goals, users can narrow down their view to focus on specific portfolios or program increments. In addition, users can utilize in-page filters to further refine the information based on text search, specific statuses, owners, or their own objectives. This flexible filtering capability enables users to easily find and view the information that matters most to them.

Navigating the Objectives Hierarchy

The Objectives Tree in Jira Align provides a hierarchical view of objectives, similar to the backlog views in Agile frameworks. Users can expand or collapse the hierarchy to explore the full list of objectives. This view allows them to navigate through different levels of objectives, from portfolio objectives to program objectives and down to team objectives. This clear visibility into the objectives hierarchy ensures that everyone understands the relationships and dependencies between different objectives.

Managing Status and Key Results

Objectives in Jira Align can have key results that define the measurable outcomes for achieving the objectives. Users can create, update, and track key results to monitor progress and measure success. By setting target metrics, updating progress, and checking in regularly, teams can align their efforts with the desired outcomes. While status and key results are manually updated fields, users can establish guidelines and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure accurate tracking and reporting.

Linking Work Items to Objectives

One of the valuable features of the Objectives Tree Experience is the ability to link work items, such as epics, stories, or tasks, to objectives. This linkage helps teams understand how their work directly contributes to the overall objectives. By linking work items, teams can gain clarity on the impact of their work and ensure that every task aligns with the higher-level objectives. This interconnectivity between work items and objectives fosters transparency and enables teams to track progress effectively.

Tracking Key Result Progress

Tracking the progress of key results is essential for measuring the success of objectives. The Objectives Tree in Jira Align provides visual representations, such as scores and completion percentages, to track the progress of key results. By regularly updating these scores and monitoring the completion percentages, teams can stay on track and make informed decisions based on real-time data. This tracking mechanism allows teams to focus on outcomes and ensure that they are moving closer to achieving their objectives.

Collaborating and Visualizing Objectives

Jira Align encourages collaboration and provides tools for teams to effectively work together on objectives. The Objectives Tree view presents a comprehensive display of the entire hierarchy, showcasing objectives, key results, owners, and teams involved. This view serves as an informative presentation of objectives, enabling teams to gain a holistic understanding of the hierarchy and contribute to the overall goals. Additionally, Jira Align's roadmap feature further enhances the visualization of objectives and aligns them with the desired outcomes.

Highlights

• The Objectives Tree Experience in Jira Align provides a visual representation of the hierarchy of goals and objectives.
• The updated UI in Jira Align brings a modern and consistent look across Atlassian's suite of products.
• The Context Bar and in-page filters enable users to narrow down and focus on specific information relevant to their context.
• The Objectives Tree allows users to navigate through different levels of objectives, from portfolio objectives to team objectives.
• Managing status and key results helps teams track progress and measure success in achieving objectives.
• Linking work items to objectives provides clarity on how individual tasks contribute to higher-level objectives.
• Tracking key result progress through scores and completion percentages allows teams to stay on track and make informed decisions.
• The Objectives Tree view in Jira Align facilitates collaboration and provides a comprehensive visualization of the entire objectives hierarchy.
• Jira Align's roadmap feature aligns objectives with desired outcomes and enhances the overall visualization of goals and objectives.

FAQ

Q: Can I switch back to the previous version of the Objectives Tree if needed?

A: Yes, Jira Align offers the option to switch back to the previous version, also known as the "Legacy Experience." However, Atlassian has announced that the Legacy Experience will ultimately be deprecated. It is recommended to transition to the new Objectives Tree Experience for improved functionality and UI.

Q: How can I track progress for key results?

A: Key result progress can be tracked through the Objectives Tree view in Jira Align. Each key result has a score and completion percentage, which can be updated manually by checking in. Regularly updating these progress metrics allows teams to monitor the advancement towards achieving objectives.

Q: Can I filter the Objectives Tree based on specific statuses or owners?

A: Yes, the Objectives Tree in Jira Align offers filtering options based on various criteria. Users can filter objectives based on specific statuses (e.g., on track, at risk, off track, completed) and owners. These filters help users narrow down their view to focus on specific subsets of objectives.

Q: Can I link work items other than epics to objectives?

A: Yes, Jira Align allows users to link various work items, including epics, stories, tasks, and other issue types, to objectives. This linkage helps teams understand the relationship between work items and objectives, ensuring that every task contributes to the overall goals.

Q: How can I collaborate with other team members on objectives?

A: Jira Align provides collaboration features that allow teams to work together on objectives. Teams can view and contribute to the Objectives Tree, share updates and progress, and align their efforts towards achieving objectives. Collaborative features facilitate effective communication and coordination among team members.