How to use jira for project planning
- George Apostolov
How to use jira for project planning: step-by-step guide
Start by clicking on the Projects > Create Project button.
Go to Software Development and select the Scrum template.
Use template.
Now, let's create your first epic. Click Backlog in the sidebar and hit Epic to see a drop-down.
Name it (e.g., "Website Redesign") and hit Create.
Now let's add user stories; in the Backlog view, click Create Issue and select Story.
Write a summary, Link to your Epic.
Start Your Sprint - Click Create Sprint > drag stories into the sprint, and finally, click "Start Sprint.
Set duration and click Start.
And that's how you can get started. Use board view and drag tasks across columns.
Quick answer: To plan projects in Jira, create a project using the Scrum template, set up an epic, and add user stories in the backlog. Next, create a sprint, drag the stories into it, set the duration, and start the sprint. Finally, use the board view to drag tasks across columns.
About this Jira tutorial
Plan projects efficiently in Jira by creating a Scrum project, adding epics and user stories, managing sprints, and tracking tasks on the board. This guide shows how to use jira for project planning in 10 steps, starting with "Start by clicking on the Projects > Create Projec t button" and finishing with "And that's how you can get started. Use board view and drag tasks across columns". The interactive demo above is a click-through copy of the real Jira interface, so you can rehearse each step before doing it in your own account.
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does it take to use jira for project planning?
10 steps. Each one is listed in order above, and the demo highlights exactly where to click.
Can I try it without changing my own account?
Yes. Clicking through the demo doesn't touch your Jira data or settings. Once you know the flow, repeat it in your own workspace.
This tutorial is filed under Jira. Related guides: How to view epics in jira, How to Write Test Cases in Jira and Push Jira metrics to Datadog through Zapier. Last reviewed 05 Oct 2026.
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