Jira – What Is It and Why Many Teams Use It for Project Work
In today’s company work, people use many tools to plan, track, and finish their projects. One of the most popular tools is Jira. But for many new users or people in small companies, a common question is “Jira what is it?” They hear the name, but they don’t know clearly what it does or how it helps.
In this article, we will explain in simple way: Jira what is it, what are its uses, which features it give, and how it helps teams in different industries. Also, we will tell about some other software like Jira that are used for similar work.
Jira – What Is It?
So, Jira what is it exactly? Jira is a software tool created by a company called Atlassian. It is mostly used for project management, task tracking, and software development. It is very common in IT companies, but today many teams outside IT also use it—for example, marketing, HR, finance, and even education.
Originally, Jira was made for software teams to manage bugs (errors) and track code issues. But now, it can be used to manage any type of project or workflow. From small task to big product launch, Jira helps team plan and deliver better.
What Jira Is Used For
Many people ask “Jira what is it used for in real job?” It is used for different purposes depending on team needs. Below are main uses:
1. Task Management
You can create tasks, assign them to team members, add deadline, and track progress.
2. Project Planning
You can make roadmap of the whole project. See what to do first, who is doing it, and how long it will take.
3. Bug Tracking
For software teams, it is used to report bugs, assign them to developer, and fix them step by step.
4. Agile Work
Jira is famous for supporting Agile method. Teams use Scrum or Kanban boards to manage sprints and backlogs.
5. Workflows and Approvals
You can create process flow, for example: task → review → approval → done. This is good for marketing and HR teams too.
Key Features of Jira
Now we know Jira what is it and what it is used for, let’s talk about its features. Some of the most helpful features of Jira are:
1. Boards (Scrum or Kanban)
These boards give a clear view of what is in progress, what is done, and what is still to start. Easy to drag and move tasks.
2. Custom Workflows
You can create your own steps or process that fit your team style. For example, you can add “In QA” or “Client Review”.
3. User Roles and Permissions
Set who can do what. Managers can see full project, team members see only their tasks.
4. Reports and Dashboard
Jira shows reports about task status, time spent, and team performance. Managers use this to take better decision.
5. Integration with Other Tools
Jira works well with Confluence, Bitbucket, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and many more.
6. Automation
You can set rule like: if task is moved to "Done", then close it and send email. This saves time.
How Jira Helps a Company
Many teams say they work faster and better after using Jira. So, Jira what is it giving to company that brings benefit? Here are some of the ways Jira helps:
1. Better Team Coordination
Everyone knows what to do. No need to send many emails or ask again and again.
2. Clear Work Tracking
Manager can see real-time progress. If any task is late, they can solve problem quickly.
3. High Transparency
All work is visible. Clients or leaders can also see status if needed.
4. Helps Remote Teams
Even if team works from different places, Jira helps them stay connected and follow same plan.
5. Fits Any Team
Whether your team is developer, marketing, HR, or design—Jira can be customized for your work style.
Other Popular Software Like Jira
Now that you understand Jira what is it, you may ask, is there any other software like this? Yes, many companies use similar tools depending on size and budget. Here are a few:
1. Trello
Also from Atlassian. Trello is simpler than Jira, good for small teams or beginners. It uses cards and boards.
2. Asana
Very popular for creative and marketing teams. Easy to use with nice design. Works well for non-technical projects.
3. ClickUp
All-in-one tool for task, doc, chat, and project tracking. Many startups like it.
4. Monday.com
Colorful and modern. Good for planning, timelines, and visual dashboards.
5. Azure DevOps
Used by developers, similar to Jira, but more Microsoft-focused.
Final Words
So, now if someone asks you “Jira what is it?” — you know the answer. It is a strong project management and task tracking tool used by thousands of companies. It helps teams work better, faster, and with less confusion.
From software teams to marketing groups, from bug fixing to campaign planning, Jira helps organize all tasks and deliver projects on time. If your team is still using email or spreadsheets to manage work, maybe it is time to try Jira or a similar tool.
Choose the right tool for your need, but always remember: clear planning and tracking is key for success. And Jira gives you both.