Course Details

Advanced JIRA for Project and Program Management Training Course: Optimizing JIRA for complex, scaled agile environments

Introduction

Unlock the full potential of JIRA and transform your approach to managing complex, scaled agile initiatives with our "Advanced JIRA for Project and Program Management" training course. Beyond basic task tracking, JIRA offers sophisticated capabilities essential for orchestrating large-scale agile programs, fostering transparency, and driving collaboration across multiple teams. This intensive 10-day program equips project and program leaders, scrum masters, and administrators with expert-level JIRA configurations, reporting, and automation techniques. Learn to optimize JIRA for portfolio visibility, streamline workflows, enhance data-driven decision-making, and truly scale agile effectively, ensuring your organization maximizes its investment in agile tools and delivers strategic value.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

This course is ideal for experienced JIRA users, Project Managers, Program Managers, PMO Leaders, Scrum Masters, Agile Coaches, Product Owners, JIRA Administrators, and anyone responsible for configuring, managing, or reporting on complex projects and programs using JIRA in scaled agile environments. It is particularly beneficial for those in:

• Large enterprises implementing SAFe, LeSS, or other scaled agile frameworks.
• Organizations with multiple agile teams working on interconnected initiatives.
• Roles requiring advanced JIRA reporting, automation, and administration.
• Teams struggling with JIRA complexity or seeking to optimize its usage.
• Professionals aiming to become JIRA power users for strategic project and program oversight.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Advanced JIRA for Project and Program Management" training course, participants will be able to:

• Master advanced JIRA configurations to support complex project and program structures.
• Design and optimize JIRA workflows, screens, and fields for tailored agile processes.
• Implement effective JIRA solutions for managing portfolios, programs, and multiple interconnected teams.
• Develop sophisticated JIRA Query Language (JQL) queries for precise data extraction and reporting.
• Create custom dashboards and advanced reports to visualize project and program health, progress, and risks.
• Leverage JIRA automation capabilities to streamline routine tasks and enhance efficiency.
• Understand JIRA administration best practices for security, performance, and scalability in large environments.
• Integrate JIRA with other tools to create a comprehensive project and program management ecosystem.
• Troubleshoot common JIRA challenges and optimize performance for complex instances.
• Formulate a comprehensive strategy for leveraging JIRA to improve scaled agile delivery and organizational transparency.

Course Modules

Module 1: JIRA Fundamentals for Scaled Agile Environments

• Recap of JIRA core concepts: Projects, Issues, Workflows, Boards.
• Understanding JIRA's role in supporting SAFe, LeSS, and other scaled agile frameworks.
• Differentiating JIRA Software, JIRA Work Management, and JIRA Service Management for strategic use.
• Best practices for structuring JIRA projects for large programs.
• The importance of a well-defined JIRA strategy for organizational agility.

Module 2: Advanced JIRA Configuration for Programs

• Designing complex JIRA Project Schemes: Workflow Schemes, Screen Schemes, Field Configuration Schemes.
• Customizing Issue Types for different levels of agile planning (Epics, Features, Stories, Tasks, Spikes, Enablers).
• Effective use of JIRA Fields: Custom fields, contextual fields, calculated fields.
• Implementing permissions and security schemes for large, multi-team access.
• Leveraging JIRA components and versions for structured releases.

Module 3: Optimizing JIRA Workflows for Scaled Delivery

• Designing advanced workflows: Conditions, Validators, Post Functions, Properties.
• Implementing complex transitions and statuses for program-level processes (e.g., PI Planning, Program Increment execution).
• Using JIRA workflow automation for process enforcement and data integrity.
• Streamlining cross-team workflows and handoffs.
• Best practices for workflow maintenance and optimization.

Module 4: JQL Mastery for Powerful Reporting

• Advanced JIRA Query Language (JQL) syntax and functions.
• Building complex queries for filtering, sorting, and grouping issues across projects.
• Using JQL for tracking progress across multiple teams and programs.
• Creating JQL-based custom filters and subscriptions for dynamic reporting.
• Leveraging JQL for identifying trends, bottlenecks, and dependencies.

Module 5: Custom Dashboards and Advanced Reporting

• Designing highly effective JIRA Dashboards for Program Managers and Executives.
• Utilizing various JIRA gadgets: Filter Results, Two Dimensional Filter Statistics, JIRA Charting Plugin.
• Creating custom charts and metrics to visualize program health, velocity, and predictability.
• Reporting on cross-project dependencies and risks.
• Integrating JIRA data with external reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) for executive dashboards.

Module 6: JIRA for Portfolio and Program Management

• Leveraging JIRA for portfolio-level visibility and strategic alignment.
• Using Advanced Roadmaps for JIRA (formerly Portfolio for JIRA) for strategic planning and dependency management.
• Tracking initiatives, epics, and features across multiple teams and value streams.
• Capacity planning and resource forecasting at the program level.
• Facilitating Program Increment (PI) planning and execution within JIRA.

Module 7: JIRA Automation for Efficiency and Governance

• Introduction to JIRA Automation rules: Triggers, Conditions, Actions.
• Automating routine tasks: Issue transitions, field updates, notifications, sub-task creation.
• Implementing automation for workflow enforcement and data consistency.
• Cross-project automation for program-level coordination.
• Best practices for designing and managing JIRA automation rules.

Module 8: JIRA Administration for Scaled Environments

• User and Group Management for large organizations.
• Performance tuning and optimization for large JIRA instances.
• Backup, restore, and disaster recovery strategies for JIRA data.
• Plugin and add-on management: Selecting, installing, and configuring useful extensions.
• Security best practices for JIRA in an enterprise context.

Module 9: Integrating JIRA with External Tools

• Connecting JIRA with Confluence for documentation and knowledge management.
• Integrating with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, Bamboo) for traceability.
• Linking JIRA with test management tools (e.g., Zephyr, Xray).
• Utilizing JIRA's API for custom integrations and data extraction.
• Building a connected ecosystem for end-to-end agile delivery.

Module 10: Optimizing JIRA for Your Organization & Action Plan

• Common JIRA anti-patterns in scaled agile and how to avoid them.
• Strategies for rolling out JIRA changes and driving user adoption.
• Continuous improvement of JIRA configurations and processes.
• Governance models for JIRA administration in complex environments.
• Personalized action plan: Identifying immediate JIRA improvements and a long-term strategy for your organization.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com