How to Get Jira Software: Purchase, Installation, and Setup Explained

Jira Software, developed by Atlassian, is one of the most popular project management tools on the market. It is widely used for issue tracking, bug tracking, and agile project management. With its robust features and flexibility, Jira is suitable for teams of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. If you’re considering adopting Jira Software for your business, this article will guide you through the process of purchasing, installing, and setting up Jira Software.

Understanding Jira Software and Its Features

Before diving into the purchase and installation process, it’s important to understand what Jira Software is and how it can benefit your team. Jira Software is part of the broader Atlassian suite, designed to help teams plan, track, and manage their projects with agility. Key features include:

Agile Boards: Jira supports Scrum and Kanban boards, allowing teams to visualize their work and manage backlogs effectively.
Custom Workflows: Teams can customize workflows to fit their specific processes, ensuring that tasks move through the right stages before completion.
Reporting and Analytics: Jira provides various reports, including burn-down charts, sprint reports, and velocity charts, helping teams monitor progress and performance.
Integrations: Jira integrates with other Atlassian tools like Confluence and Bitbucket, as well as third-party applications such as Slack, GitHub, and Microsoft Teams.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Jira Plan

Jira Software is available in several plans, each catering to different needs and budgets. Your first step is to choose the plan that best suits your team’s requirements.

Free Plan: Ideal for small teams or startups, the free plan supports up to 10 users and includes basic features like Scrum and Kanban boards, project backlog, and basic reporting. It’s a great way to get started without any financial commitment.
Standard Plan: Suitable for growing teams, this plan includes everything in the free plan, plus additional features like advanced permissions, audit logs, and more storage space. The Standard plan supports up to 20,000 users.
Premium Plan: The Premium plan is designed for larger teams that need advanced features such as project archiving, admin insights, and global and multi-project automation. This plan also offers 24/7 premium support and a 99.9% uptime SLA.
Enterprise Plan: For large enterprises with thousands of users, the Enterprise plan offers advanced security features, compliance certifications, and dedicated support. This plan is highly customizable to meet the specific needs of large organizations.

Step 2: Purchasing Jira Software

Once you’ve decided on the right plan, it’s time to purchase Jira Software. Here’s how to do it:

Visit the Atlassian Website: Go to the official Atlassian website (www.atlassian.com) and navigate to the Jira Software page.
Select Your Plan: Choose the plan that best fits your needs. If you’re not sure, you can start with the free plan or opt for a free trial of the Standard or Premium plan to test the features before making a purchase.
Create an Atlassian Account: If you don’t already have an Atlassian account, you’ll need to create one. This account will be used to manage your Jira subscription, billing, and other Atlassian products.
Enter Your Payment Information: For paid plans, you’ll need to provide your payment information. Atlassian accepts various payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal. If you’re purchasing the Enterprise plan, you may need to contact Atlassian’s sales team for custom pricing and payment arrangements.
Confirm Your Purchase: Review your order, confirm the details, and complete the purchase. You’ll receive a confirmation email with details about your Jira subscription.

Step 3: Installing Jira Software

After purchasing Jira Software, the next step is installation. Jira is available in two deployment options: Cloud and Self-Hosted (Data Center). The installation process varies depending on which option you choose.

Option 1: Jira Cloud

Jira Cloud is hosted by Atlassian, meaning you don’t have to worry about server maintenance, updates, or security patches. This is the preferred option for most businesses because of its ease of use and scalability.

Access Your Jira Site: After purchasing Jira Cloud, you’ll receive an email with a link to your Jira site (e.g., yourcompany.atlassian.net). Click the link to access your site.
Log In: Use your Atlassian account credentials to log in to your Jira site.
Set Up Your Site: During the initial setup, you’ll be prompted to configure basic settings such as the site name, language, and time zone.
Invite Team Members: Start by inviting your team members to join your Jira site. You can do this by entering their email addresses, and they’ll receive invitations to create accounts and access the site.
Start Using Jira: Once your site is set up and team members are invited, you can start creating projects, setting up boards, and customizing workflows.

Option 2: Jira Self-Hosted (Data Center)

For companies that require full control over their Jira environment, such as those with strict security or compliance requirements, Jira Data Center is the best option. This version allows you to host Jira on your own servers or cloud infrastructure.

Download Jira Data Center: Visit the Atlassian website, navigate to the Jira Software Data Center page, and download the installation files.
Prepare Your Environment: Ensure that your server meets the system requirements for Jira Data Center, including the operating system, hardware, and database specifications.
Install Jira: Follow the installation instructions provided by Atlassian. This typically involves running the installation script, configuring your database, and setting up Jira as a service.
Configure Jira: After installation, you’ll need to configure Jira by setting up the application properties, such as base URL, email notifications, and user management settings.
Set Up Clustering (Optional): If you’re deploying Jira in a high-availability environment, you can set up clustering to ensure that your Jira instance remains operational even if one node fails.
Start Jira: Once the installation and configuration are complete, start the Jira service and access your Jira site through your web browser.

Step 4: Configuring Jira for Your Team

After installation, the next step is to configure Jira to suit your team’s needs. Here’s how to get started:

Create Projects: Begin by creating projects for each of your team’s initiatives. You can choose from templates such as Scrum, Kanban, or Bug Tracking, depending on your team’s workflow.
Set Up Agile Boards: For teams using agile methodologies, set up Scrum or Kanban boards. Customize the boards by defining columns, swimlanes, and filters to match your team’s processes.
Customize Workflows: Modify the default workflows to fit your team’s specific needs. Jira allows you to create custom statuses, transitions, and triggers to ensure that work progresses smoothly through each stage.
Configure Permissions: Define roles and permissions to control who can access and modify different parts of your Jira projects. This is crucial for maintaining security and ensuring that team members have the appropriate level of access.
Integrate with Other Tools: If your team uses other tools, such as Confluence, Bitbucket, or third-party applications like Slack, integrate them with Jira to create a seamless workflow. Jira’s Marketplace also offers a wide range of plugins and add-ons to extend its functionality.
Set Up Notifications: Configure email notifications and alerts to keep your team informed about important updates, such as task assignments, status changes, and project milestones.

Step 5: Training and Onboarding Your Team

Introducing Jira Software to your team requires effective training and onboarding to ensure everyone can use the tool efficiently. Here’s how to approach this:

Initial Training Session: Start with a basic training session to familiarize your team with Jira’s interface, features, and key workflows. Atlassian offers a wealth of resources, including video tutorials, webinars, and documentation, to help with this process.
Hands-On Practice: Encourage your team members to explore Jira on their own. Assign them simple tasks within the platform to help them get comfortable with its features.
Appoint a Jira Champion: Designate a team member to become the Jira expert or champion. This person can provide ongoing support, answer questions, and help with advanced configurations as needed.
Utilize Atlassian Resources: Take advantage of Atlassian’s online community, forums, and knowledge base to address any questions or challenges that arise during the onboarding process.

Step 6: Monitoring and Optimizing Jira Usage

After setting up Jira and onboarding your team, it’s important to continuously monitor and optimize how the software is used. Here are some tips:

Regular Check-Ins: Periodically review how your team is using Jira. Are they taking full advantage of the features? Are there any pain points or areas of improvement?
Gather Feedback: Encourage team members to provide feedback on their experience with Jira. Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments to workflows, boards, and permissions.
Optimize Workflows: As your team’s needs evolve, you may need to tweak your workflows and project configurations. Keep an eye on how tasks are moving through the system and make adjustments to improve efficiency.
Explore New Features: Atlassian frequently updates Jira with new features and improvements. Stay informed about these updates and consider how they might benefit your team. Adopting new features can enhance your team’s productivity and streamline your processes.

Conclusion

Acquiring Jira Software for your business involves several steps, from selecting the right plan and purchasing