I have a unique chance to talk directly with executive leadership about our team's challenges using Jira for infrastructure support. My main concern is that our current Jira setup feels tailored for development teams, which leaves us handling metrics that don't really reflect our work. Given that we only focus on second and third level support and not on development or CI/CD, I've noticed that metrics like cycle time really don't apply to us due to external delays. I want to address these metrics and other issues, but I'm unsure what else to highlight or how best to present my case since there's no option to switch away from Jira entirely. Any advice on what key points I should bring up and how to approach this conversation?
5 Answers
It sounds like your issue is that a single tool is being stretched too thin to fit various IT roles. Maybe suggest setting up separate boards or workflows for your infrastructure tasks. Make sure when you present your case, you articulate your needs rather than simply what you dislike about the system. Be specific about the reasons why Jira doesn’t work for your team’s needs.
When heading into a meeting with execs, it’s crucial to avoid just complaining about Jira. Instead, come equipped with a clear plan for what needs to change and why. Prepare some constructive suggestions on how to improve the tool's usage for your team. It'll show that you're proactive rather than simply venting frustrations.
Since abandoning Jira isn’t an option, focus heavily on identifying and articulating the specific pain points. Clearly express what's not working and suggest solutions, even if it's bringing in an expert to help streamline your processes. Bring actionable insights to the execs, as they'll appreciate a solutions-oriented approach.
You might find it effective to argue that Jira isn’t the best fit for your less structured work environment. If management is looking for transparency on where time is spent, propose some manual methods for tracking this info instead of relying solely on Jira.
Could you clarify what you mean by 'gathering independently'? I’ve been hesitant to suggest Agile methods, but is there another approach I might consider?
If there’s someone from Atlassian in your meeting, they could help address your specific concerns about workflows. If not, see if you can get in touch with a specialist to discuss your implementation issues more effectively – otherwise, your valuable feedback might not be heard.
That's a good perspective. Focusing on solutions rather than just the issues can make a real difference in how they respond!