Easy Tech TutsHow to Customize Workflows in Jira
By Impran M N
Jira's default workflow doesn't always match how a specific team actually moves work forward. This guide covers customizing a workflow so its statuses and transitions reflect your real process.
01Open the workflow editor
Navigate to your project's workflow settings, typically found in the project or issue type configuration area.
02Review the current workflow
Look at the existing statuses and transitions to understand what's already in place before making changes.
03Add or remove statuses
Adjust the statuses to match the actual stages your team's work passes through, adding new ones or removing ones that don't apply.
04Configure transitions between statuses
Set up the allowed transitions between statuses, controlling how an issue can move from one stage to the next.
05Publish the workflow
Save and publish your changes so the updated workflow takes effect on live issues.
Frequently asked questions
Will customizing a workflow affect issues already in progress?
It can, since existing issues need to map to a valid status in the new workflow, so Jira will typically prompt you to handle any status mapping during publishing.
Can different issue types have different workflows?
Yes, Jira lets you assign different workflows to different issue types within the same project if their processes differ.
Do I need admin permissions to edit a workflow?
Yes, workflow editing is typically restricted to project or Jira administrators.
Can I test a workflow change before publishing it live?
Jira's workflow editor lets you make and preview changes in draft form before you publish them to the live project.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
