Atlassian Launches Jira Work Management for Broader Team Collaboration

Atlassian has unveiled a new iteration of its project management solution, Jira Work Management. The company is expanding Jira’s reach beyond its original software development focus.

Expanding Jira's Reach

Having successfully integrated IT teams with Jira Service Management, and making strides with Jira Core, Atlassian is now introducing a tool designed for teams in marketing, HR, finance, design, and other departments.

This new version aims to empower diverse teams to manage their projects and, when necessary, integrate their workflows with those of the development teams.

Addressing the Needs of Non-Technical Teams

According to Atlassian’s VP of Product, Noah Wasmer, “Jira Software’s this de-facto standard.” He further explained that while Jira Service Management is gaining traction, CIOs often find it challenging to implement Jira Software for teams unfamiliar with coding concepts.

“They often ask, what is code? What is a pull request?” Wasmer stated, highlighting the need for a more accessible solution.

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Despite its core focus on developers, approximately half of Jira Software’s users already come from other teams collaborating with development. Wasmer believes Jira Work Management will provide a more relevant and efficient tool for these users.

A Universal System for Work Management

Atlassian envisions Jira Work Management as a core component of a “universal system and family of product” for tracking and managing work across the organization.

This is particularly relevant in the context of remote and hybrid work models, where a centralized system is crucial for maintaining visibility and coordination.

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The company recognizes that many businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on software, and that all teams contribute to this transformation, often operating in isolated silos.

Simplified User Interface and Flexible Views

Jira Work Management features a streamlined user interface compared to Jira Software, catering to the different expectations of non-technical teams.

It also offers a variety of views – including List, Calendar, Timeline, and Kanban – to accommodate diverse work styles and preferences.

To facilitate quick adoption, Atlassian has included a set of pre-built templates for common use cases, which users can customize to suit their specific needs.

Refreshed Terminology for Broader Appeal

Atlassian has adjusted the terminology within Jira Work Management to resonate with a wider audience.

Instead of “stories” and “bugs,” the templates utilize terms like “tasks,” “assets” (for design), and “candidates” (for HR).

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List View: A Familiar Experience

Recognizing the widespread use of spreadsheets, the List view provides an Excel/Airtable-like experience, offering inline editing and abstracting away the complexities of the underlying Jira ticket system.

Chase Wilson, head of product marketing for Jira Work Management, emphasized the team’s focus on creating a responsive and intuitive experience.

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Forms and Automation

Jira Work Management allows users to create forms using a drag-and-drop editor, simplifying the process of collecting requests and feedback.

This functionality is enhanced by Atlassian’s recent acquisition of ThinkTilt, the creators of the no-code form-builder ProForma.

Enhanced Cross-Team Collaboration

By providing a common platform, Jira Work Management facilitates seamless collaboration between different teams.

For example, a development team implementing GDPR requirements can now integrate their workflow with a legal team’s project board, ensuring compliance before a software release.

Wasmer explained that previously, integrating legal teams into Jira Software often resulted in information overload, whereas Jira Work Management allows for targeted exposure to relevant information.

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Pricing and Future Development

Jira Work Management follows Atlassian’s standard pricing model, offering a free tier for up to 10 users and paid tiers starting at $5/user/month, with discounts for larger teams.

Future development plans include enhanced reporting capabilities, native approvals for faster signoffs, and further improvements to the work views.

Notably, Jira Work Management is the first product to emerge from Point A, Atlassian’s new innovation program focused on collaborating with early adopters to build the next generation of teamwork tools.

This program is “dedicated to connecting early-adopter customers with product teams to build the next generation of teamwork tools.”