Add Action Items

Tip

Action Items in Jira are a game-changer for managing small, ad-hoc tasks directly within your issues. They’re perfect for follow-ups, quick to-do lists, or real-time collaboration - without the need for creating separate subtasks. Explore how to create templates for Action Items using Templating.app.

Why Use Action Items in Templates?

• Simplify Task Management: Break down complex tasks into smaller, actionable steps within an issue.
• Increase Productivity: No need to create subtasks for every small task - just list them directly in the issue.
• Collaborate Efficiently: Mention teammates and assign quick tasks within the checklist.

Note

Action Items live within rich text fields like the description and comments. They’re not yet supported in Jira Automations, but you can use Templating.app to add them to templates.

How to Add Action Items to an Issue Template

1. Create or Open an Issue Template: Navigate to your Template Library and select the template you want to edit.
2. Open the Issue Description: Click on an issue within the template to access its description field.
3. Insert Action Items:
   • Type [ ] to start a checklist, or
   • Use the formatting dropdown and select Action Item.
4. Add Tasks: List each task in the checklist format.
5. Mention Teammates (Optional): Use @ to mention people directly in the action items.
6. Add a Decision: Click on the formatting dropdown and choose Decision to highlight important choices.
7. Save the Template: Click Save to apply your changes.

Apply the Template

When you apply the issue template, your configured Action Item checklist will be added automatically to the issue’s description. You can further customize or complete the tasks as needed.

Use Cases for Action Items in Templates

Bug Reports

Action Items are perfect for structuring bug reports, helping teams follow a clear process to identify, fix, and verify issues. By adding an Action Item checklist to your bug report template, you ensure that every step is documented and nothing gets overlooked.

Here’s an example checklist for a bug report template:

[] Reproduce the bug and document the steps.
[] Identify the root cause and add supporting details.
[] Assign the bug to the appropriate team member.
[] Implement a fix and test in a staging environment.
[] Confirm the fix with QA and update the status.
[] Communicate the resolution to stakeholders.
[] Close the issue and link to any related documentation.

Note

Adding Decisions to the template can also highlight critical information, such as choosing between multiple solutions or confirming whether a workaround is acceptable.

Feature Development

Action Items are invaluable for organizing tasks within a feature development process, ensuring that each phase is clearly defined and tracked. By embedding a checklist in your feature development templates, teams can align on deliverables and maintain progress transparency.

Here’s an example checklist for a feature development or user story template:

[] Define and document feature requirements.
[] Create wireframes or mockups for the new feature.
[] Break down tasks and assign responsibilities.
[] Develop the feature in a dedicated branch.
[] Write unit tests and conduct code reviews.
[] Test the feature in a staging environment.
[] Gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
[] Deploy the feature to production and monitor performance.
[] Update documentation and inform stakeholders.

Note

Including Decisions can help capture key moments, such as selecting a design approach or approving feature scope changes. This ensures that all essential actions and agreements are documented, making the development process smoother and more collaborative.

Marketing Campaigns

Marketing campaigns often involve many moving parts - content creation, scheduling, outreach, and performance tracking. With action items, you can break down complex campaigns into manageable tasks that stay organized and transparent for your team.

[] Define and document campaign goals and target audience.
[] Create a content calendar for the campaign.
[] Design marketing assets (e.g., images, videos, copy).
[] Set up tracking and analytics for the campaign.
[] Coordinate with influencers or partners, if applicable.
[] Launch the campaign across selected channels (e.g., email, social media).
[] Monitor campaign performance and adjust as needed.
[ [] Collect feedback and analyze results for future campaigns.
[] Update stakeholders on campaign success and insights.

Note

Decisions are fundamental in a campaign because they can affect the strategy, direction, and execution. By embedding decisions directly into your Jira issues, you make sure that these important choices are clearly communicated and tracked.

Action Items in Create Screen Templates

For an even smoother experience, you can use Action Items in Description Templates on the issue create screen. This is especially useful for ensuring consistency in bug reports, tasks, or feature requests right from the start.