JIRA is a powerful tool for project management and issue tracking, designed to help teams manage tasks, track bugs, and optimize workflows. It enables seamless collaboration, progress tracking, and efficient request management. Whether you're submitting a request, overseeing a project, or working with a team, JIRA keeps everything organized and running smoothly. 

How to Access JIRA

1. Go to https://jira.acord.org

2. Sign in using your company email address and network password

3. If you experience login issues, contact ACORD Help Desk Support

Navigating JIRA: Key Features

JIRA has multiple sections to help you manage tasks and collaborate efficiently. 

Dashboards 

• The first screen users see upon logging in
• Dashboards display an overview of tasks, project updates and reports using gadgets
• Create a personal dashboard to track assignments and issues
• Organize your layout to fit your workflow needs

Projects

• JIRA organizes work into Projects, each containing tasks, requests and workflows
• Each project has a board where teams can manage tasks and track progress

Boards & Workflows

• Kanban Boards: Visualize ongoing work, often used for task management
• Scrum Boards: Used for agile teams managing sprints and backlogs
• Workflows: Define the stages an issues goes through, from creation to completion

Working with Issues & Tasks

Creating an Issue

1. Click on Create at the top of the screen

2. Select the Project and issue type (Task, Bug, Story, etc.)

3. Enter a summary, description and any required details

4. Assign the issue to a team member or yourself

5. Click Create to submit the issue

Tracking & Updating Issues

• Use the Search Bar to find an issue by name or ID
• Click on an issue to view details, add comments or update the status
• Use filters like "My open issues" or "Updated Recently" to find relevant tasks

Best Practices for Using JIRA

• Use clear titles and descriptions when creating an issue.
• Check existing tickets before submitting a new one to avoid duplicates.
• Keep comments concise and relevant to ensure efficient communication.
• Use filters and dashboards to stay organized and track progress.

Articles to Reference:

Getting Started - https://confluence.atlassian.com/getting-started

Getting Started as a JIRA Software User - https://confluence.atlassian.com/getting-started-as-a-jira-software-user 

Need Help?

For additional support, check our ACORD Help Center, or contact IT support at helpdesk@acord.org