As businesses undergo digital transformation and seek tailor-made software solutions to support their goals, the demand for expert custom software development companies has skyrocketed. From building scalable web and mobile apps to modernizing legacy systems, these companies help organizations turn complex business challenges into high-performance digital solutions.
However, with hundreds of vendors in the market, choosing the right custom software development partner can be a daunting task. This blog offers guidance on evaluating, shortlisting, and selecting a development company that aligns with your business goals, technology needs, and long-term vision.
Why Work with a Custom Software Development Company?
Custom software development companies specialize in creating technology solutions that are fully tailored to an organization’s workflows, users, and technical requirements. Unlike off-the-shelf products, custom software offers flexibility, control, and scalability.
Benefits include:
Bespoke functionality tailored to your needs
Seamless integration with existing systems
Enhanced security and compliance
Scalability as your business grows
Full ownership of source code and IP
Partnering with the right development firm can save time, reduce technical debt, and ensure long-term product viability.
What to Look for in a Custom Software Development Partner
Choosing a vendor should be based on much more than price. Here are the top criteria to evaluate:
1. Domain Expertise
Look for companies with a track record in your industry. Familiarity with your business domain means faster onboarding, fewer revisions, and better overall results.
2. Technical Capability
Examine the vendor’s technology stack, certifications, and ability to scale teams. A strong partner should be proficient in modern frameworks (React, .NET Core, Node.js, etc.), DevOps practices, and cloud infrastructure.
3. Portfolio & Case Studies
A company’s portfolio reveals their design, complexity handling, and innovation. Look for success stories similar to your use case.
4. Communication & Collaboration
Ensure the vendor is easy to communicate with. Do they offer clear reporting? Do they use project management tools like Jira, Slack, Confluence?
5. Project Management Approach
Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) ensure faster releases and stakeholder visibility. Confirm their sprint planning, QA process, and risk mitigation strategies.
6. Client References & Reviews
Request references from past clients and check reviews on Clutch, GoodFirms, and LinkedIn.
7. Post-Launch Support
Ongoing maintenance, performance optimization, and feature updates are crucial. Understand their SLAs and support options.
Top Questions to Ask Potential Development Partners
What experience do you have with similar projects or industries?
How do you approach requirement gathering and MVP definition?
Can you provide a sample project timeline and milestones?
What is your QA and testing process?
How do you ensure code quality and documentation?
Do we retain full IP rights and source code access?
What’s your policy on change requests and scope adjustments?
What tools do you use for communication and tracking?
These questions reveal how well a company understands your project and how transparent and adaptable they are.
Signs of a Reliable Custom Software Development Company
Top Custom Software Development Companies (2024 Overview)
While rankings vary by geography and project type, here are some globally recognized custom software development companies known for their innovation, reliability, and quality delivery:
1. MicroGenesis TechSoft
An Atlassian Platinum Partner and software development firm offering enterprise-grade custom solutions across cloud, ITSM, and Agile transformation. Known for its industry focus, governance frameworks, and strong support services.
2. ELEKS
A Ukrainian-based technology company delivering custom software for logistics, fintech, and healthcare.
3. BairesDev
A Latin American firm providing outsourced software engineering services to North America and Europe, with a focus on scalability.
4. Intellectsoft
Enterprise software experts in digital transformation, blockchain, and AI solutions.
5. Iflexion
Trusted for over two decades in delivering custom web and enterprise software across a range of industries.
6. Simform
Specializes in API development, DevOps, and software modernization for mid to large-size businesses.
Note: Always validate company fit based on your specific goals, budget, and industry.
How to Shortlist and Select Your Partner
Step 1: Define Your Goals and Requirements
Outline your project scope, must-have features, timeline, and internal capabilities. This will help you evaluate partners more effectively.
Step 2: Research and Compare
Look for companies with relevant case studies, reviews, and industry-specific expertise.
Step 3: Schedule Discovery Calls
Discuss their approach, team structure, and communication flow. See how well they understand your business problem.
Step 4: Review Proposals and Estimate Breakdown
Assess not just the pricing, but how detailed and thoughtful the proposal is.
Step 5: Start with a Pilot or MVP
If possible, begin with a limited engagement or MVP phase to test collaboration before full-scale development.
Conclusion
Choosing among the many custom software development companies can be overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. By evaluating vendors based on their technical expertise, domain knowledge, communication, and support model, you can find a partner who adds real business value.
Your development partner should not just write code—but act as a strategic advisor who helps you scale, innovate, and deliver exceptional digital experiences.
As a top IT company, MicroGenesis brings proven expertise, industry knowledge, and a client-first approach to every project. Whether you need end-to-end development, integration, or modernization, we deliver solutions that drive measurable results.
Ready to build your custom solution? Contact us today and take the first step toward turning your ideas into reality. Reach out to our team for a tailored consultation today.
In today’s digital-first business landscape, IT service delivery plays a critical role in keeping operations running smoothly. As IT environments become more complex, organizations need reliable, scalable, and integrated tools for managing incidents and service requests. That’s where Jira ITSM,powered by Jira Service Management (JSM), comes in.
Jira Service Management is Atlassian’s flagship platform for IT service management, offering a comprehensive solution for managing service requests, incidents, problems, changes, and more. In this blog, we’ll explore how Jira can streamline your ITSM processes—particularly incident and request management—and help your teams respond faster, reduce downtime, and improve service delivery.
Chapter 1: Why Choose Jira for ITSM?
1. Built on Agile Principles
Jira’s roots in Agile software development make it uniquely suited for flexible and fast-paced IT environments. Jira ITSM encourages iterative improvement, team collaboration, and transparent service delivery.
2. Unified Platform
With Jira Service Management, IT teams can collaborate with Dev, Ops, and business stakeholders using a shared toolset. No more siloed ticketing systems or fragmented workflows.
3. Rapid Setup with ITIL Templates
Out-of-the-box ITIL-based templates for incident, problem, change, and service request processes help organizations adopt industry best practices quickly.
4. Deep Integration Capabilities
Jira integrates with tools like Confluence (for knowledge bases), Opsgenie (for incident response), Bitbucket, Slack, and Microsoft Teams, enabling end-to-end workflow orchestration.
Chapter 2: Incident Management in Jira ITSM
What is Incident Management?
Incident management is the process of identifying, recording, and resolving service disruptions as quickly as possible.
How Jira Helps:
Users report incidents via a self-service portal, email, or integrations.
Incidents are categorized and prioritized automatically using forms and automation.
Agents get instant visibility via queues and dashboards.
Built-in SLAs help track resolution targets and performance.
Teams can escalate to Dev or Ops using linked issues in Jira Software.
Best Practices:
Define clear categories and impact levels.
Use automation to route incidents to the right team.
Set up SLAs with timers and alerts.
Use labels or components for easy filtering and reporting.
Integrate with Opsgenie for alerting and on-call management.
Example Workflow:
User submits incident (e.g., “email not working”)
Ticket is auto-triaged to IT support
Agent investigates and resolves
Incident is closed and user receives notification
Chapter 3: Request Management in Jira Service Management
What is Request Management?
Request management covers non-urgent, planned service requests—like access requests, hardware purchases, or help with software.
Users can log in to a branded, intuitive help center and submit service requests. Articles appear based on keywords, reducing ticket volume.
Example Use Cases:
“Request new laptop”
“Access to Salesforce”
“Reset password”
Approvals:
Jira supports multi-step approvals. For example, a software purchase might require approvals from IT, Finance, and a department head.
Automation Rules:
Auto-assign tickets based on request type
Notify approvers immediately
Transition ticket to “In Progress” upon approval
Chapter 4: Optimizing Jira ITSM for Your Organization
1. Tailor Request Types to Business Needs
Don’t use generic forms—customize them for departments like HR, Facilities, Finance, and Legal.
2. Use Queues to Prioritize Work
Create queues based on urgency, requester type, or location. Example: “VIP Incidents” or “New Hire Onboarding Requests.”
3. Leverage SLAs for Performance Tracking
Set clear SLAs and display breach warnings so agents can prioritize high-risk tickets.
4. Integrate with Knowledge Base
Connect Confluence to display help articles before users create tickets, reducing volume.
5. Report on Key Metrics
Number of incidents vs. requests
SLA breach rate
Average time to resolution
CSAT scores (Customer Satisfaction)
6. Use Asset Management (Jira Assets)
Link tickets to hardware, software, or employee records to improve root cause analysis and accountability.
Chapter 5: Key Benefits of Using Jira for ITSM
1. Faster Resolution Time
Automation and routing reduce manual triage.
2. Improved User Satisfaction
Self-service options and knowledge articles empower users to solve issues independently.
3. Better Visibility for Managers
Dashboards and reports show real-time progress, trends, and bottlenecks.
4. Cost Savings
Automation, self-service, and streamlined workflows lower operational costs.
5. Scalability
Jira ITSM works equally well for startups and large enterprises—you can start small and scale as you grow. With the right IT service management consulting, organizations can tailor Jira Service Management to meet evolving needs while ensuring best practices and long-term success.
Chapter 6: Tips for a Successful Jira ITSM Implementation
Involve stakeholders early (IT, HR, Security, Facilities)
Use Jira templates to accelerate rollout
Train agents and users on portal, SLAs, and approvals
Start with high-volume requests and incidents, then expand
Conduct quarterly reviews to improve workflows and reduce clutter
Conclusion
Jira Service Management offers everything modern IT teams need to deliver fast, reliable, and customer-focused service. With flexible workflows, powerful automation, and deep integration with development and operations tools, Jira ITSM is an ideal solution for streamlining both incident and request management.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to optimize an existing service desk, Jira provides a scalable and user-friendly platform that grows with your business. As a best IT company, MicroGenesis delivers expert ITSM consulting services to help organizations implement, customize, and scale Jira Service Management for long-term success. Our team ensures your ITSM strategy aligns with your business goals—boosting efficiency, responsiveness, and service quality.
As organizations modernize their IT operations and customer support systems, Jira Service Management (JSM) has emerged as one of the most powerful and flexible platforms for managing service requests, incidents, problems, and changes. Built on the Jira platform and designed to support ITIL practices, Jira ITSM enables IT and business teams to collaborate effectively, deliver value faster, and improve service reliability.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the key elements of setting up Jira Service Management, best practices for success, and how to optimize your JSM implementation for scale and efficiency.
Chapter 1: Getting Started with Jira Service Management
What is Jira Service Management?
Jira Service Management is Atlassian’s service desk platform designed for ITSM (IT Service Management). It supports a wide range of use cases across IT support, HR service delivery, facilities management, and customer service.
Core Features Include:
Request and incident management
SLA management
Knowledge base integration with Confluence
Automation and approval workflows
Change and problem management
Asset and configuration management (Assets/Insight)
Setup Basics:
Choose a JSM Template: Select ITSM, General Service, or HR template based on your use case.
Define Request Types: Customize based on services offered (e.g., password reset, hardware request).
Configure Queues: Set up queues for agents based on priority, issue type, or SLA.
Customize Forms and Fields: Add required fields to streamline ticket data collection.
Set SLAs: Define target response and resolution times with escalation paths.
Connect Knowledge Base: Integrate Confluence to support self-service.
Chapter 2: Best Practices for Implementing Jira ITSM
1. Start with ITIL-Aligned Processes
Even if you don’t adopt ITIL fully, aligning to its core practices (incident, problem, change, request) helps ensure process clarity and system scalability.
2. Don’t Over-Engineer Workflows
Keep workflows as simple as possible. Use clear status names and transitions to avoid confusing agents and requesters. Complexity leads to friction.
3. Use Request Types and Issue Types Strategically
Request types define how end-users see the form; issue types define internal tracking. Don’t duplicate unnecessarily. Map them carefully.
4. Automate Low-Value Tasks
Use Jira automation to eliminate manual triaging, categorization, or status updates. Examples:
Auto-assign tickets based on category
Send reminders if SLAs are at risk
Notify approvers automatically
5. Leverage the Knowledge Base for Deflection
Use Confluence to surface relevant articles in the portal—reducing ticket volume and improving first-contact resolution with guidance from an ITSM consultant.
6. Set Up Smart SLAs and Notifications
Go beyond basic timers. Set up condition-based SLAs and build escalation workflows. Notify managers or team leads before breaches.
7. Standardize Change Management Workflows
Use templates for standard, normal, and emergency changes. Include risk assessments, approvals, and implementation steps.
8. Use Assets (formerly Insight) for CMDB
Track and relate configuration items (hardware, software, licenses) to tickets. Helps in root cause analysis and incident impact assessment.
9. Train Users and Agents Thoroughly
Offer onboarding, cheat sheets, and video demos. This reduces confusion and support errors.
10. Monitor Metrics and Feedback
Use dashboards and surveys to track resolution time, SLA compliance, and customer satisfaction.
How many issues are resolved in the first response.
3. Customer Satisfaction (CSAT)
User rating after ticket closure.
4. Ticket Reopen Rate
Indicates quality of resolution.
5. Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR)
Average time it takes to close a ticket.
6. Backlog Age
How long unresolved tickets have been sitting in the queue.
Conclusion
Jira Service Management empowers IT and business teams with ITIL-compliant, agile service delivery. MicroGenesis, a top IT company offering expert Jira consulting services, helps configure, automate, and optimize the platform for scalable, unified ITSM.
By following these best practices and optimization strategies, your organization can reduce service delivery costs, improve customer satisfaction, and scale service operations with confidence.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has become a transformative technology for businesses seeking to streamline operations, reduce manual work, and boost efficiency. By automating repetitive, rule-based tasks, RPA allows employees to focus on higher-value activities, driving productivity and cost savings. However, to fully realize the benefits of RPA, organizations must implement it strategically and follow proven best practices to maximize RPA efficiency.
In this article, we explore the top 7 RPA best practices that help businesses improve efficiency, enhance productivity, and maximize their automation investments.
What is RPA and Why is it Important?
RPA, or Robotic Process Automation, refers to the use of software robots, or “bots,” to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks that were previously performed by humans. These bots interact with digital systems and applications in the same way that a person would, but with greater speed, accuracy, and consistency.
Implementing RPA helps businesses:
Reduce human errors
Improve process efficiency
Lower operational costs
Enhance compliance and auditability
Free up employees for more strategic work
Achieve higher RPA ROI (Return on Investment)
Industries like banking, insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail are increasingly adopting RPA to drive digital transformation, optimize business processes, and improve competitiveness.
1. Identify High-Impact Automation Opportunities
The success of an RPA initiative depends on selecting the right processes for automation. Not all tasks are suitable for RPA. Focus on processes that are:
Repetitive and rule-based
High-volume and time-consuming
Prone to human error
Stable with minimal process exceptions
Examples include data entry, invoice processing, report generation, and system integration tasks. Conduct a thorough process assessment to prioritize automation opportunities that deliver the highest ROI and support business process optimization.
2. Standardize and Optimize Processes Before Automation
Automating inefficient or inconsistent processes can lead to suboptimal results. Before implementing RPA, take time to standardize and optimize processes:
Eliminate redundant steps
Document process flows clearly
Resolve process exceptions where possible
Engage stakeholders to ensure process alignment
Standardized processes create a strong foundation for successful RPA implementation and prevent bots from amplifying existing inefficiencies.
RPA success is best achieved through a phased approach. Begin with a small, well-defined pilot project that demonstrates quick wins. This allows your organization to:
Validate RPA tools and technology
Gain experience with development and deployment
Identify potential challenges early
Build internal support and confidence
Once the pilot succeeds, gradually scale RPA across departments and business units, using lessons learned to refine your approach and enhance RPA scalability.
4. Establish Strong RPA Governance and Compliance
Without proper governance, RPA initiatives can become fragmented and expose the business to risks. Implement governance frameworks to:
Define roles and responsibilities for RPA management
Ensure compliance with data security and privacy regulations
Maintain version control and audit trails
Monitor bot performance and behavior
Strong governance ensures RPA operates effectively, securely, and in alignment with organizational policies and automation best practices.
5. Collaborate with IT and Business Teams for Successful RPA Implementation
RPA is most successful when IT and business teams work together. Collaboration helps to:
Ensure bots integrate smoothly with existing systems
Address technical challenges proactively
Align automation goals with business objectives
Maintain system security and stability
An RPA Center of Excellence (CoE) that brings together technical and business expertise can accelerate implementation and drive sustainable success.
6. Invest in Scalable and User-Friendly RPA Tools
Selecting the right RPA software is crucial for long-term success. Look for solutions that offer:
Scalability to support business growth
Intuitive, low-code interfaces for ease of use
Integration with legacy and modern systems
Advanced capabilities like AI and machine learning (for intelligent automation)
Robust security and compliance features
Popular RPA platforms include UiPath, Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, and Microsoft Power Automate—all designed to boost process automation efficiency. Choosing the right platform with guidance from an experienced RPA solution provider ensures a tailored, scalable automation strategy that aligns with your business goals.
7. Monitor, Measure, and Continuously Improve RPA Efficiency
RPA is not a “set it and forget it” solution. To maximize efficiency gains and achieve high RPA ROI, businesses must:
Continuously monitor bot performance
Track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as processing time, accuracy, and error rates
Solicit feedback from users and stakeholders
Regularly review processes for new automation opportunities
A culture of continuous improvement ensures RPA delivers sustained value, adapts to changing business needs, and supports enterprise automation initiatives.
Common RPA Implementation Challenges to Avoid
While RPA offers significant benefits, organizations often face challenges that can hinder success if not addressed proactively:
Over-automation: Trying to automate overly complex processes that require human judgment.
Lack of Change Management: Failing to prepare employees for automation can lead to resistance and low adoption.
Inadequate Testing: Insufficient testing of bots before deployment can result in errors and process disruptions.
Underestimating Maintenance Needs: Bots require ongoing maintenance to adapt to system changes and evolving processes.
Recognizing and addressing these challenges early increases the chances of a smooth, efficient RPA implementation.
The Role of Intelligent Automation (IA) in Boosting RPA Efficiency
As businesses mature in their RPA journey, they can enhance efficiency further by incorporating Intelligent Automation (IA). IA combines RPA with technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to automate more complex, decision-based tasks. With the support of expert RPA implementation services, organizations can seamlessly integrate these advanced capabilities into their workflows, driving smarter automation, greater scalability, and long-term digital transformation.
Examples of IA applications include:
Automated document processing with AI-powered data extraction
Chatbots handling customer service inquiries
Predictive analytics for proactive process optimization
Intelligent Automation unlocks new levels of efficiency and enables businesses to automate a broader range of processes, maximizing process automation ROI.
Real-World Example: RPA in Action for Business Process Efficiency
A large financial services company implemented RPA to automate its loan application process. By applying the best practices outlined above, they achieved:
80% reduction in processing time
Significant decrease in manual errors
Enhanced regulatory compliance through automated audit trails
Increased employee satisfaction by reducing repetitive work
The result was improved operational efficiency, faster customer service, reduced costs, and significant RPA ROI.
Conclusion: Maximize RPA Efficiency with Best Practices
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) offers significant efficiency gains, but success depends on a strategic, well-managed approach. By following these 7 RPA best practices—from selecting the right processes and tools to fostering collaboration and continuous improvement—businesses can unlock the full potential of automation.
For organizations seeking to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and scale operations efficiently, RPA is a powerful solution when implemented thoughtfully. When guided by the expertise of a digital transformation company and a trusted RPA solution provider like MicroGenesis, the path to automation becomes more structured and results-driven..
Looking to improve efficiency with RPA? Contact our automation experts today to discover how we can help your business implement scalable, secure, and high-impact RPA solutions tailored to your unique needs and designed to maximize RPA efficiency and process automation success.
1. Jira is built on an issue‑type hierarchy designed to help teams manage work more effectively. But confusion often arises when teams misuse Epics, Stories, or Tasks, which can lead to bloated backlogs, poor traceability, and execution bottlenecks.
This guide explores each issue type—Epic, Story, Task—clarifying their purpose, differences, and best practices, so you can align Jira structure with Agile principles and achieve better delivery outcomes.
2. Jira Issue Hierarchy Overview
In standard Jira configurations, the issue hierarchy is structured as follows:
Epic → large cross‑cutting initiative or theme spanning multiple sprints or teams
Story → a user‑centric feature or requirement, typically completed within a sprint
Task → a technical or administrative piece of work that may or may not align with a Story
Sub‑task → a smaller unit of work, child to a Story or Task, for detailed tracking
Understanding this hierarchy is essential for governance, reporting, and scaling Agile practices across multiple teams.
3. What Is an Epic?
Definition: An Epic represents a significant business objective or theme, often made up of multiple Stories and spanning several sprints or teams.
Key Characteristics:
Large scope – Encompasses many smaller work items
Time-spanning – May take weeks or months to complete
Cross-functional – Involves multiple teams or disciplines
Strategic alignment – Maps to product roadmap, OKRs, or business goals
Examples:
“Implement Mobile App Version 2.0”
“Launch New E-commerce Checkout Flow”
“Upgrade Infrastructure for GDPR Compliance”
Best Use Cases:
Breaking down long-term strategic initiatives
Planning across multiple teams or releases
Organising backlog around outcomes or goals
4. What Is a Story?
Definition: A Story (or User Story) defines a user-facing feature or requirement intended to deliver value within a single sprint.
Sub‑tasks: micro-work tied directly to a parent Story or Task for fine-grained progress. Not visible in backlog by default.
Tasks: standalone work units, sometimes levels above Sub‑tasks. Use when work does not directly belong to a Story or when tracking independently across sprints.
c. Epics Across Teams and Projects
Epics can span multiple Jira projects or cross-team initiatives.
Use tools like Advanced Roadmaps, Portfolio, or filters to visualize Epic progress across the organization.
Allocate Stories in respective team boards while tracking parent Epic centrally.
7. Best Practices in Using Epics, Stories, and Tasks
1. Use Epics for Outcomes
Epics should describe what you want to achieve, not how you’ll do it. Focus on user value or business goals. Instead of naming an Epic “Refactor Backend,” a better example would be “Enable Faster Checkout Experience.” This outcome-driven approach helps align teams with strategic initiatives and allows stakeholders to better understand the value of ongoing work.
✅ Tip: An Epic should represent a deliverable that takes multiple sprints to complete and has a measurable impact.
2. Craft INVEST Stories
Each Story should adhere to the INVEST model:
Independent – Can be delivered separately from others
Negotiable – Collaborative and not overly detailed
Valuable – Provides clear value to users or customers
Estimable – Can be roughly estimated
Small – Can be completed in a sprint
Testable – Has clear acceptance criteria
This method ensures that your Stories are actionable and effective. A well-written Story like, “As a user, I want to save my payment method so I can check out faster next time” provides value, clarity, and direction for developers and testers.
3. Don’t Overuse Sub‑tasks
Sub-tasks are best used to break down a Story into specific, dependent work that must be done by different team members (e.g., development, design, QA). Overusing them can create clutter and micromanagement issues. Use Sub-tasks only when clarity or division of labor requires it.
🚫 Avoid creating Sub-tasks like “Work on it,” “Review it,” “Test it” unless they represent distinct phases with a clear owner or purpose.
4. Minimize Task Overloading
Tasks should be execution-focused and represent a meaningful chunk of work—not too vague and not too large. Assigning Tasks that cover multiple days or skills makes progress hard to track. Overloaded Tasks can slow velocity tracking, lead to missed deadlines, and dilute accountability.
✅ Keep Tasks manageable—ideally within 1–2 days of effort—and avoid creating a “mega task” that could be broken into Stories instead.
5. Keep the Hierarchy Flat
Avoid overcomplicating the structure. The ideal Jira hierarchy should be:
Epic → Story → Task → Sub-task Adding more levels increases complexity and makes it harder to manage, especially when working with dependencies, reporting tools, or portfolio views. A flat structure boosts visibility and supports faster planning cycles.
💡 Remember: Agile is about adaptability and speed. Deep nesting introduces rigidity.
6. Link Dependencies Properly
Dependencies should never live in a spreadsheet or someone’s head. Jira, including Jira Service Management, provides built-in link types like:
“Blocks” – This issue blocks progress on another
“Relates to” – Issues are associated but not dependent
“Is required by” – This issue must be completed first
Using these relationships makes it easy to see and manage cross-team impact, prioritize work correctly, and minimize surprises during sprint planning.
📈 Use dependency links in Roadmaps and Advanced Roadmaps for program-level planning.
7. Archive Done Epics
Once an Epic is fully delivered and its child Stories are closed, archive or mark the Epic as “Done.” Keeping old, completed Epics in your backlog can clutter views, confuse teams, and reduce reporting clarity.
🎯 Closed Epics also improve performance in Jira, declutter the Epic panel in backlog views, and help in filtering only active initiatives—something a Jira expert consultant can help you optimize.
✅ Tip: Create a Kanban board or filter view to display only open Epics to keep your product and program management dashboard clean and focused.
8. Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Pitfall
Why It Happens
How to Fix
Using Tasks for User Stories
Tech-centric teams writing low-context tasks
Reframe as INVEST Stories
Epics Too Detailed
Teams confuse Story for Epic
Educate on scope and timespan
Excessive Backlog
Garbage-in, garbage-out from granularity
Periodic backlog grooming
Misaligned Sprint Planning
Epics pulled into sprints
Limit to Stories and Tasks
Poor Traceability
Unlinked work causing confusion
Enforce clear links and hierarchy
9. Jira Configuration & Customization
Hierarchy Enhancements: Use Portfolio/Advanced Roadmaps to add Initiative level above Epics.
Custom Issue Types: Introduce “Feature,” “Capability,” etc., as needed.
Workflows by Issue Type: Add approvals for Epics, testing gates for Stories, etc.
Epic/Story Templates: Use marketplace add-ons or blueprints for standardization.
Q: Can a Task belong directly to an Epic? Yes—Tasks can link to Epics using the Epic Link field, but this should be reserved for technical work outside Stories.
Q: Should every Story have Sub‑tasks? Not necessarily; only use Sub‑tasks for complex Stories with distinct steps or handoffs.
Q: Where do Bugs fit? Bugs are typically a type of Story or Task depending on your workflow. Use depending on scope and impact.
Q: Can Epics span multiple sprints? Definitely. Epics are by definition larger than a sprint—they serve as containers for delivery across several sprints.
Q: Is it okay to convert a Story into an Epic? Yes, Jira allows converting item types if scope changes—but consider backlog impact.
Conclusion:
Understanding the differences between Epics, Stories, and Tasks in Jira is key to managing projects effectively and delivering value consistently. When used correctly, this hierarchy brings clarity, improves team alignment, and boosts productivity. As a leading digital transformation company, MicroGenesis leverages Jira services to help organizations streamline workflows and drive agile success.
At MicroGenesis, our Jira consulting services help teams structure and optimize their workflows using best practices tailored to their needs. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling your Agile practices, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
