Easy Tech TutsHow to Configure Swimlanes in Jira
By Impran M N
Swimlanes split a Jira board into horizontal rows, making it easier to group and scan issues by things like assignee, epic, or priority. This guide covers configuring swimlanes so your board reflects the grouping that matters most to your team.
01Open board settings
Go to the configuration menu for the board where you want to set up swimlanes.
02Find the swimlanes section
Locate the swimlanes option within the board's configuration settings.
03Choose a swimlane base
Select what the swimlanes should be based on, such as epic, assignee, or a custom query.
04Define individual swimlanes
If using a query-based setup, create the specific swimlanes with the criteria that determines which issues fall into each row.
05Save and review the board
Save your changes and check the board to confirm issues are now grouped into the swimlanes as expected.
Frequently asked questions
What can swimlanes be based on in Jira?
Common options include epics, assignees, or custom JQL queries, depending on how you want to group and scan your issues.
Can I have both swimlanes and quick filters on the same board?
Yes, swimlanes and quick filters work independently and can both be used together to organize and narrow down the board view.
Do swimlanes change the actual data on an issue?
No, swimlanes are purely a visual grouping on the board and don't modify any underlying issue data.
Can each team member set up their own swimlane view?
Swimlane configuration is typically set at the board level rather than per-user, so changes affect everyone viewing that board.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
