Create Jira Issues from Gmail with the New Atlassian App
This is a big one! Atlassian has released a new Gmail add-on that lets you create Jira issues (or, as Atlassian now calls them, "work items" – a term still causing a bit of a stir!) directly from your email.
Here’s how it works:
- Your Google Workspace administrator, or you personally, can install the Atlassian app from the Gmail marketplace.
- Once installed, open any email, click the "Create" button in the app sidebar, and a new Jira issue is instantly generated from the email content.
- You’ll get a Jira issue key, and the app displays the issue's details, like status, right within your Gmail sidebar.
This feature is incredibly useful for capturing requirements, support requests, or any actionable items received via email. It saves time by eliminating the need to copy and paste content, streamlining your workflow significantly. This initial release is promising, and I expect it to become a widely adopted tool for many users.
Atlassian Community: Improved Notifications and Loom Integration
The Atlassian Community continues to evolve. They’ve recently rolled out interface changes and improved email notifications, addressing past issues to keep active members better informed. It's great to see Atlassian investing in this vital resource where users can get support, share knowledge, and learn.
In another exciting update, you can now embed Loom videos directly into Atlassian Community articles. Loom, now an Atlassian product, allows you to record quick video messages or screen shares. This integration makes it easier to provide rich, visual explanations and tutorials within community content. If you haven't tried Loom, it’s worth exploring for more engaging communication and collaboration across all your projects.
The expansion of Atlassian's product suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Trello, Loom, etc.) means there's a tool for almost every organizational need. As a consultant, while 95% of my work centers around Jira, I encourage professionals to look beyond it. Exploring other Atlassian tools and even other market offerings like monday.com can help you build a broader skillset and find your niche.
Atlassian Cloud Billing Changes
For those managing Atlassian Cloud billing, there's an important update regarding how usage is calculated. While billing is generally based on active users, Atlassian has provided an example where if you start with 10 users and add 10 more after 15 days, you'll be billed based on 15 users, reflecting the duration of active use.
This adjustment requires careful monitoring, especially if you're responsible for client billing or your own Jira/Confluence instances. Keep an eye on your billing page to track usage and avoid any surprises.
Upcoming Events & Jira UI Configurability
Next Community Event: Jira Service Management Focus
Mark your calendars! The Greater Noida Atlassian Community is hosting an event focused on Jira Service Management (JSM) at Ginger Hotel. These community events are excellent opportunities to network, learn about specific Atlassian products, and discuss real-world use cases. I'll be sure to announce future events on my channel when I'm in Delhi so we can meet up!
Jira UI is Becoming More Configurable!
Good news for those who crave flexibility: the Jira UI is getting more configurable! After voicing concerns (and perhaps Atlassian listening!), we're seeing improvements. For instance, in the new Jira Cloud UI, you can now:
- Rename project tabs (e.g., change "Backlog" to "Backlog 123").
- Customize the order of items in your left sidebar navigation.
- Hide options in the sidebars, moving them to a "More" section.
This increased configurability is a welcome change, allowing users to tailor their Jira experience to their preferences and specific project needs. It’s a step in the right direction towards a more personalized and efficient interface.
Mastering Your Jira Backlog: Beyond the Next Sprint
A common challenge for many organizations, especially larger ones, is managing the Jira backlog effectively. While a backlog typically holds items for upcoming sprints, what about ideas or tasks that might be considered far in the future (e.g., 6 months from now)?
My recent blog post explores strategies for managing a "backlog of a backlog." This involves using issue statuses, project hierarchy, or specific labels to categorize items that are still in early consideration and aren't slated for immediate development. This approach helps maintain a cleaner, more focused active backlog while retaining visibility on long-term ideas.
That’s all for this week’s Atlassian updates! If you’re new to our channels (Sparks and Ravi Saga), consider subscribing. For direct updates in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter at sparks.com/newsletter or ravisaga.in/newsletter. We send weekly updates to keep you informed.
What are your thoughts on the new Gmail integration or the evolving Jira UI? Share your feedback in the comments!