Understanding the New "Work" Terminology in Jira

Atlassian has introduced a new collective term in Jira: "Work." This update aims to unify all items you track in Jira—such as issues, tasks, stories, and tickets—under a single, simple term: "Work." In this blog, we’ll break down what this means, why it matters, and how it impacts your Jira experience.

What is "Work" in Jira?

Jira has long been a flexible tool used to track different types of items, depending on the context. A software development team may use it to manage user stories and bugs, while an IT support team may track tickets and service requests. Instead of referring to these different elements separately, Atlassian now refers to all of them as Work.

Simply put, "Work" is now the universal term for any item you manage in Jira. Whether it’s an issue, a request, or a task, it all falls under "Work."

Why is This Change Important?

The introduction of "Work" as a collective term is meant to make Jira more intuitive and reduce confusion when communicating across teams. Here’s why this change matters:

1. Simplifies Communication – Teams using Jira for different purposes can now use a common term instead of switching between "issues," "tickets," or "stories."

2. Enhances Cross-Team Collaboration – When working across different departments (e.g., IT support, software development, HR), the term "Work" provides a shared language.

3. Better User Experience – New users often find Jira terminology confusing. This update makes it easier for anyone to understand and get started.

How Does It Affect Your Jira Experience?

Atlassian is rolling out this change gradually, and you’ll notice it in various areas of Jira:

• Navigation & UI: Some menus, filters, and dashboard widgets will now reference "Work" instead of "Issues."

• Jira Query Language (JQL): No changes to how you search or filter issues in JQL. The term "Work" is more for visibility rather than technical adjustments.

• Documentation & Training Materials: Expect updates to Atlassian’s help documentation and guides to align with this change.

Do You Need to Do Anything?

No action is required on your end. The shift to "Work" is primarily a UI and terminology update that won’t affect how you use Jira’s features. Your workflows, automations, and integrations will continue to function as they do today.

Final Thoughts

While this may seem like a small change, the introduction of "Work" as a universal term in Jira is a step toward a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Whether you’re an IT admin, a project manager, or a service desk agent, you can expect clearer communication and easier collaboration with this update.

Stay tuned for more updates!