Quick Summary
Jira is a powerful project management and issue-tracking tool developed by Atlassian, widely used by software development teams to plan, track, and manage agile projects. Originally created for bug tracking, Jira has evolved into a comprehensive platform that supports various project management methodologies like Scrum and Kanban. Its flexible workflows, custom issue types, dashboards, and integration capabilities make it a preferred choice for teams looking to streamline collaboration and maintain transparency throughout the software development lifecycle. Whether managing sprints, tracking bugs, or overseeing service requests, Jira offers robust functionalities to align technical and business goals. Jira interview questions are a popular topic.
Jira interview questions are designed to assess a candidate’s understanding of the tool’s functionalities, configuration capabilities, and best practices in real-world project environments. These questions may range from basic concepts, such as what an issue or epic is, to advanced topics like configuring custom workflows, managing permissions, automating tasks using Jira Automation, or integrating Jira with CI/CD tools. Interviewers may also evaluate a candidate’s familiarity with agile practices within Jira, practical problem-solving using JQL (Jira Query Language), and their ability to optimize project tracking and reporting. Preparing for these questions helps professionals demonstrate both technical expertise and practical application of Jira in dynamic project settings.
Jira interview questions are queries asked during job interviews to assess a candidate’s knowledge of the Jira software tool. They typically cover topics like workflows, issue tracking, agile methodologies, and Jira administration. These Jira interview questions help employers evaluate how effectively a candidate can use Jira in project management and team collaboration.
Here are Jira interview questions with answers for freshers. These Jira interview questions focus on basic to intermediate concepts that help hiring managers evaluate the foundational knowledge of Jira in a practical work setting.
This is the most common Jira interview questions. Jira is a project management and issue-tracking software developed by Atlassian. It is commonly used by software development teams to track bugs, plan sprints, manage agile workflows, and monitor progress through customizable dashboards and reports. Jira supports both Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
A Jira issue typically includes several components such as:
The common issue types in Jira include:
A Jira workflow is the sequence of statuses and transitions that an issue goes through during its lifecycle. For example, a basic workflow might include: To Do → In Progress → In Review → Done. Teams can customize workflows to reflect their unique processes.
A Scrum board in Jira is a visual tool used to manage sprints in Agile projects. It shows all the issues in a sprint and helps teams track their progress using columns like “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” It also supports backlog grooming, sprint planning, and burndown charts.
A Jira project is a collection of issues related to a specific team or objective. A board (either Scrum or Kanban) is a visual representation of issues from one or more projects. While the project is where work is stored and organized, the board is how teams interact with and manage that work.
JQL stands for Jira Query Language. It is used to search and filter issues in Jira using specific criteria. For example:project = "Mobile App" AND status = "In Progress"
This returns all issues from the “Mobile App” project that are currently in progress.
To create a new issue:
Permissions in Jira control what users can see and do within a project. There are global permissions, project permissions, and issue-level security. For example, only users with the “Edit Issues” permission can update issue details. Managing permissions ensures that sensitive data is secure and responsibilities are clearly defined.
An Epic is a large body of work that can be broken down into smaller tasks or Stories. For example, building a new login system could be an Epic, while tasks like “Design login UI” or “Integrate Google login” would be individual Stories under that Epic. Epics help in organizing and tracking high-level objectives over multiple sprints.
Labels are tags or keywords that can be added to Jira issues to help with categorization and easy searching. For example, adding the label frontend to tasks related to UI development allows team members to filter and view all frontend tasks at once. Labels improve organization and reporting within projects.
Below are Jira interview questions and answers for experienced professionals. These questions dig deeper into advanced Jira configurations, real-world use cases, administration, integrations, and Agile best practices—all commonly expected from mid-to-senior-level Jira users or administrators.
To customize a Jira workflow, go to Jira Settings > Issues > Workflows, then click “Edit” on the desired workflow. You can add or remove statuses, transitions, and conditions, set validators, and attach post functions. Always ensure that your customized workflow is associated with the correct workflow scheme and project.
Post functions are automated actions that occur after a transition in a workflow. Examples include updating a field value, reassigning an issue, sending notifications, or creating a linked issue. They are used to enforce business rules and automate repetitive tasks in the issue lifecycle.
Go to Project Settings > Automation (or Global Automation for admins) and create a new rule. Define a trigger (e.g., “Issue transitioned to Done”), add conditions (e.g., “If priority = High”), and then choose an action (e.g., “Send Slack message”). Automation improves efficiency by reducing manual work.
A Permission Scheme is a set of rules that control who can perform what actions within a project (e.g., “Browse Projects,” “Edit Issues,” “Manage Sprints”). Multiple projects can share the same scheme. This helps standardize access control across teams and ensures secure data handling.
You can create multiple boards for the same project using different filters. Go to Boards > Create Board > Scrum/Kanban, and choose “Board from an existing project or filter.” This allows cross-functional teams to view the same set of issues differently, depending on their workflow and responsibilities.
Jira Service Management extends Jira’s functionality for ITSM and customer support teams. It allows you to manageservice requests, incidents, problems, and changes through customizable portals, SLA metrics, and approval workflows. It’s ideal for internal IT support, HR, and facilities operations.
Capacity planning is handled via Advanced Roadmap or using third-party add-ons like BigPicture or Tempo. You define team velocity, individual availability, and sprint duration to track and allocate work accurately. This helps ensure teams are neither overcommitted nor underutilized.
To migrate a project:
The Resolution field determines whether an issue is considered “closed” in reports like Burndown or Velocity Charts. If this field is not set during closure, Jira treats the issue as unresolved—even if its status is “Done”—leading to inaccurate metrics. It’s important to auto-set this field using workflow post functions.
JQL (Jira Query Language) enables complex queries. For example:project = "Website Redesign" AND status IN ("In Progress", "Review") AND labels = "high-priority" AND updated >= -5d
This fetches all high-priority issues in specific statuses updated in the last 5 days. JQL is essential for dashboards, boards, and reports.
Here are advanced Jira interview questions and answers, crafted to demonstrate deep Jira expertise—ideal for senior roles such as Jira Administrators, Agile Coaches, or Technical Project Managers. These focus on complex configurations, cross-tool integration, real-world problem-solving, and scaling Agile practices.
You can manage cross-project dependencies using Advanced Roadmaps (formerly Portfolio), where issues from multiple projects are visualized on a single timeline. You can link tasks using issue links (e.g., “blocks,” “is dependent on”) and track roll-ups across Epics and Initiatives. For enhanced visualization, add-ons like Structure, BigPicture, or Jira Align offer detailed dependency mapping.
Use workflow validators to enforce mandatory field input during transitions. For complex logic (e.g., “Field X must be filled when issue type = Bug and status = In Review”), use ScriptRunner or JMWE to create conditional validators that check multiple field values before allowing a transition.
Use JQL filters to search for the relevant issues, then use bulk change functionality for simple edits. For conditional updates (e.g., based on custom fields), use Automation Rules or scripting tools like ScriptRunner, where Groovy scripts can manipulate field values across issues based on custom logic.
Without JSM, use custom fields, Automation Rules, and optionally ScriptRunner to simulate SLA tracking. For example, use a custom date field like SLA Deadline, calculate the due date using automation, and then create triggers to send alerts or change statuses based on SLA breach conditions.
Start with Jira logs and monitoring tools to identify bottlenecks. Best practices include:
Use the Jira DVCS connector or third-party apps like Jenkins for Jira to integrate development tools. You can automate Jira issue transitions (e.g., move to “In QA” when a Jenkins build passes) and add commit/build info to issues via webhook integrations or smart commits using syntax like:git commit -m "PROJ-123 #done Fixed login bug"
For SAFe or other scaled Agile frameworks, use Jira Align (Atlassian’s enterprise solution) or third-party tools like BigPicture or Advanced Roadmaps. These tools support:
Use Issue Security Schemes, which allow you to define security levels (e.g., “Managers Only,” “HR Team”) and assign them to issues. Each level specifies which roles or users can view the issue. Configure the scheme at the project level and apply security levels via custom fields or automation.
Define field contexts for specific projects or issue types to limit where custom fields are applied. This reduces overhead on screens and improves performance. For example, a “Customer Feedback” field should only be available for “Service Request” issues in the “Customer Support” project.
Below are new feature based jira interview questions:
One of the very common jira interview questions, Jira Automation Rules allow users to automate repetitive tasks based on triggers, conditions, and actions
Jira Advanced Roadmaps (formerly Portfolio for Jira) provide multi-team, cross-project planning capabilities. It allows project managers to:
Example interview tip:
If asked how to handle resource bottlenecks across projects, explain how Advanced Roadmaps’ capacity view can reveal over-allocated teams and help rebalance work before execution.
WAS, CHANGED, and sprint-based filters?
JQL (Jira Query Language) now includes powerful functions like:
WAS: Tracks historical status.status WAS "In Progress" finds issues that were ever in progress.CHANGED: Filters issues based on field changes.assignee CHANGED AFTER -7dSprint in openSprints() or Sprint = 21 to filter by active or specific sprints.These queries help in retrospectives, auditing, and forecasting.
another important jira interview questions, Jira integrates deeply with
Real-world example:
A developer mentions Jira issue key PROJ-123 in a Bitbucket commit. That commit is auto-linked to the issue, providing traceability from code to backlog.
Recent updates in Jira dashboards include:
Real situation based jira interview questions are given below:
How would you build an automation rule in Jira to close stale issues after 30 days of inactivity?
To automate closing inactive issues:
status = “In Progress” AND updated <= -30d
Action: Transition issues to “Closed” and optionally add a comment.
Example:
Comment: “This issue has been closed automatically due to inactivity for 30 days.”
This rule ensures issues don’t linger and helps keep boards clean.
How do you handle conflicting permissions when users belong to multiple project roles with different access levels?
Jira permissions are cumulative — if a user has multiple roles/groups with differing permissions, they get the union of all permissions.
To resolve conflicts:
Explain this with an example in interviews to show nuanced understanding of jira interview questions.
Describe the process of migrating issues from Trello to Jira. What challenges can arise?
To migrate Trello boards to Jira:
Challenges:
Mitigation: Prepare a field mapping sheet and test with a sample board before full migration.
4. How do you bulk edit thousands of issues across multiple Jira projects safely?
To bulk edit in Jira:
project in (PROJ1, PROJ2) AND status = “To Do”
Best Practices:
In conclusion, Jira interview questions play a crucial role in assessing a candidate’s proficiency with one of the most widely used project management and issue-tracking tools in agile environments. These questions not only test a candidate’s technical knowledge of Jira’s features—such as workflows, issue types, dashboards, and permissions—but also gauge their ability to leverage the tool for efficient team collaboration and project tracking. For employers, well-structured Jira interview questions help identify individuals who can streamline processes, enhance transparency, and contribute to agile delivery cycles from day one.
From a candidate’s perspective, preparing for Jira interview questions is essential to demonstrate their familiarity with industry-standard project management practices. Whether the role is for a Scrum Master, Product Owner, QA tester, or Developer, understanding Jira’s practical applications can significantly boost one’s chances of securing the role. In today’s competitive job market, being well-versed in Jira interview questions also showcases adaptability and a readiness to contribute to dynamic, cross-functional teams—making it an indispensable area of focus for both interviewers and candidates alike.
Jira interview questions are vital for evaluating a candidate’s ability to navigate and utilize Jira effectively in real-world project settings. They help distinguish those who can streamline workflows and support agile practices. Preparing thoroughly for these jira interview questions can significantly enhance a candidate’s chances of success in tech-driven roles.
Jira is a popular tool for project management and issue tracking. Teams use it to plan, track, and manage software development and other projects. It helps organize tasks, monitor progress, prioritize work, and improve collaboration.
Example Explanation in an Interview:
Jira is a project management tool that allows teams to create tasks, track issues, and monitor project progress. It supports agile methods like Scrum and Kanban, which helps teams stay organized and deliver projects effectively.
Tip: Focus on its purpose and key features like task tracking and dashboards. Also, mention its role in agile workflows. This demonstrates practical understanding.
Jira is mainly available in two types:
Jira Software. This version is designed for software development teams and supports agile methods like Scrum and Kanban. It helps with planning sprints, tracking issues, and managing projects efficiently.
Jira Service Management. This version is aimed at IT service teams for managing service requests, incidents, and changes. It ensures smooth operations and quicker response times.
Example: A Mumbai-based IT company uses Jira Software for their development team to track tasks and sprints. Meanwhile, the support team uses Jira Service Management to handle client tickets.
Tip: Focus on the purpose and audience of each Jira type. This approach makes your explanation clear and precise.
The term Jira does not have a specific full form. It comes from “Gojira,” the Japanese word for Godzilla. Jira got this name because it was designed to effectively track and fix “monstrous” software bugs.
Example: A Mumbai-based IT company uses Jira to manage and resolve software problems, track project progress, and work together across development teams.
Tip: In interviews, emphasize the tool’s purpose as a project management and issue-tracking tool more than the name’s origin.
A Jira workflow shows the lifecycle of an issue or task, typically including three main types:
To Do: Tasks or issues that are created but not yet started.
In Progress: Tasks currently being worked on by team members.
Done: Tasks that are completed and resolved.
Example: A Mumbai-based software team creates a bug in Jira (To Do). Developers work on fixing it (In Progress), and once verified, it is marked as resolved (Done).
Tip: Focus on understanding these states and how tasks move between them. This is key to explaining Jira workflows effectively.
The main purpose of Jira is to help teams plan, track, and manage projects and tasks efficiently. It is widely used for software development, issue tracking, and agile project management. Jira allows teams to create tasks, monitor progress, prioritize work, and collaborate effectively to ensure timely project delivery.
Example: A Mumbai-based IT company uses Jira to assign tasks, track bug fixes, manage sprints, and generate reports to improve team productivity.
Tip: Focus on its role in project management, task tracking, and agile workflows. This makes explaining Jira simple and practical.
Jira is a project management tool that helps with Agile methods, like Scrum and Kanban. It is not Agile or Scrum itself, but it offers features to support these frameworks, such as sprint planning, backlog management, boards, and progress tracking.
Example: A software team in Mumbai uses Jira to run Scrum sprints, track tasks on Kanban boards, and manage Agile workflows effectively.
Tip: Emphasize that Jira supports Agile practices, including Scrum, instead of being a methodology itself. This shows a practical understanding.
The full form of UAT is User Acceptance Testing. It is the last phase of software testing where end-users check the system to make sure it meets their needs before the product is released. In Jira, UAT tasks are tracked to verify that features work as expected and are ready for deployment.
Example: A software team in Mumbai creates UAT tickets in Jira for end-users to test a new feature before it goes live.
Tip: Emphasize UAT as the final user testing phase; this is important in Jira workflows.
Authored by, Mansi Rawat
Career Guidance Expert
Mansi crafts content that makes learning engaging and accessible. For her, writing is more than just a profession—it’s a way to transform complex ideas into meaningful, relatable stories. She has written extensively on topics such as education, online teaching tools, and productivity. Whether she’s reading, observing, or striking up a conversation while waiting in line, she’s constantly discovering new narratives hidden in everyday moments.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
