Introduction to Dashboards in Jira
What is a Dashboard?
A dashboard in Jira is a customizable page where you can display various types of information and data visualizations from your Jira projects. Dashboards allow users to get an overview of the status, progress, and key metrics of their projects at a glance.
Importance of Dashboards
Dashboards are crucial for project management as they provide a centralized view of project data, helping teams to:
- Track project progress
- Identify bottlenecks
- Monitor team performance
- Make informed decisions
Creating a Dashboard in Jira
Follow these steps to create a new dashboard in Jira:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Log in to your Jira account.
- Click on the Dashboards dropdown in the top menu.
- Select Manage Dashboards.
- Click on the Create new dashboard button.
- Enter a name and description for your dashboard.
- Choose the appropriate sharing and permissions settings.
- Click Create to finalize the dashboard creation.
Adding Gadgets to Your Dashboard
Gadgets are the building blocks of a Jira dashboard. They display specific pieces of information, such as charts, lists, or reports. To add gadgets to your dashboard:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open your dashboard.
- Click on the Add gadget button.
- Browse through the available gadgets and click Add for the ones you want to include.
- Configure the gadget settings as needed.
- Click Save to add the gadget to your dashboard.
Customizing Your Dashboard
Jira dashboards are highly customizable. You can arrange gadgets, configure their settings, and adjust the layout to suit your needs.
Step-by-Step Guide
- To move a gadget, click and hold the gadget's header, then drag it to the desired location.
- To resize a gadget, click on the bottom-right corner of the gadget and drag to adjust its size.
- To configure a gadget, click on the ... menu in the gadget's header and select Configure.
- Make the necessary changes and click Save.
Sharing Dashboards
Dashboards can be shared with other Jira users, groups, or even made public. To share a dashboard:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open the dashboard you want to share.
- Click on the ... menu in the dashboard's header.
- Select Share dashboard.
- Choose the appropriate sharing options and permissions.
- Click Save to apply the sharing settings.
Example: Creating a Project Overview Dashboard
Let's create a simple project overview dashboard that includes the following gadgets:
- Issue Statistics
- Pie Chart
- Filter Results
Step-by-Step Guide
- Create a new dashboard named "Project Overview".
- Add the Issue Statistics gadget and configure it to display statistics for your project.
- Add the Pie Chart gadget and configure it to show the distribution of issues by status.
- Add the Filter Results gadget and configure it to display issues assigned to your team.
- Arrange the gadgets and save your dashboard.
Conclusion
Dashboards in Jira are a powerful tool for visualizing project data and tracking progress. By customizing your dashboard with relevant gadgets, you can create an efficient and informative overview of your projects, helping you and your team stay on top of your work.