Top 25 JIRA Interview Questions and Answers

Did you know that over 65,000 companies worldwide depend on JIRA Software to manage their projects? It is a tool used for project management, especially by software developers. JIRA helps you to plan, keep track of progress, pinpoint bugs and problems and work more efficiently.

Here are some IT companies in India that use JIRA:

• Infosys
• HCL
• Tech Mahindra
• Capgemini
• Tally Solutions Pvt. Ltd.       
• Infrasoft Technologies

Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, knowing this tool is often a must-have skill in top companies.

Getting to know the typical interview questions for JIRA can really help you get ready for your interview and increase your chances of getting hired. 

In this article, we’ll cover some common JIRA interview questions and give you answers along with some helpful tips. Top of Form

What is JIRA?

JIRA is a software made by an Australian company called Atlassian back in 2002. The name “JIRA” comes from “GoJIRA,” which is Japanese for Godzilla. It’s a nod to its competitor Bugzilla.

It’s used for project management to keep track of project issues. It mainly helps in tracking bugs and is widely used in agile development to keep the product development process smooth. 

The JIRA family consists of three main products:

• JIRA Software: Ideal for teams practicing agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban.
• JIRA Core: Used for general task management.
• JIRA Service Desk: Functions as a support ticketing system.
• JIRA Interview Questions for Freshers

Here are some basic JIRA questions and answers for freshers:

1. What are the benefits of using JIRA?

JIRA is a tool that helps you track both issues and manage agile projects. It lets you follow organized workflows to keep tabs on your projects. Here are some benefits of using JIRA:

• Platform Independence: JIRA operates across different platforms.
• Dual Functionality: JIRA serves as both an issue tracker and a project management tool.
• Progress Tracking: Users can monitor project progress at regular intervals.
• Flexible Customization: Its workflows can be easily tailored to suit specific needs.

2. Explain the workflow of JIRA

In JIRA, the workflow guides the software development process by organizing tasks and transitions between them. These transitions represent the movement of an issue from one state to another.

It typically includes steps like,

• To Do
• In Progress
• Finally Done

Each step represents a stage of work. Users move tasks along this path as they progress. This structured approach keeps everyone on the same page and helps projects stay organized and efficient.

3. What are the three agile methodologies supported by JIRA?

JIRA supports three main Agile methodologies to boost project effectiveness.

• Scrum: Uses iterative cycles called sprints, prioritizing tasks from a product backlog.
• Kanban: Focuses on continuous flow, showing work visually on a board and reducing bottlenecks.
• Extreme Programming (XP): Encourages frequent software releases, stressing customer feedback and collaboration.

JIRA helps teams use these methods with customized workflows, managing task lists, and real-time progress tracking. This simplifies Agile project management and encourages quick, customer-focused software development.

4. Can you use JIRA for test case management?

Yes, JIRA can be used for test case management. While JIRA’s architecture isn’t initially optimized for this purpose, there are ways to configure it to support test case management effectively. 

One option is to modify JIRA components to align with the test case management system. 

Alternatively, you can explore add-ons available in the Atlassian marketplace to meet your specific requirements. 

This flexibility makes JIRA a valuable tool for software developers in managing test cases efficiently.

5. What are some popular add-ons for JIRA?

JIRA offers various add-ons available for purchase in the Atlassian marketplace to enhance functionality. Some popular add-ons include,

• JIRA Charting Plugin
• JIRA Toolkit Plugin
• Portfolio for JIRA
• Zephyr for JIRA (Test Management)
• Suites utilities for JIRA
• ScriptRunner for JIRA
• Atlassian REST API Browser
• JIRA Misc Workflow Extensions
• Tempo Timesheets for JIRA

These add-ons can greatly improve productivity and efficiency within JIRA for completing projects on time.

6. What is a JIRA Query Language (JQL)?

JIRA Query Language (JQL) is a tool for finding bugs and other issues in JIRA. With JQL, you can search for issues based on their status, priority, assignee, and more.

It’s a simple language that’s easy to learn. If you know SQL, learning JQL will be even easier because it’s based on SQL. JQL helps users quickly locate and manage issues within JIRA.

7. What is the use of a Dashboard in JIRA?

The JIRA dashboard is the initial screen users see upon logging in. Admins can customize its appearance and content. It presents tools and features to help team members monitor project progress. 

Additionally, it displays relevant information like assigned issues and user activity for the logged-in user. The dashboard serves as a centralized hub for tracking project status and facilitating collaboration among team members.

JIRA Interview Questions for Experienced

Here are some important JIRA interview questions and answers for experienced:

8. What is the role of validators in JIRA?

Validators in JIRA ensure that all inputs for a transition are correct before it proceeds. They check the information provided on the transition screen, such as required fields or specified values. 

If a validator fails, the transition doesn’t occur, post functions are not executed, and an error message is shown.

Validators can check for various things like:

• Values falling within specified ranges
• Completion of required fields
• Uniqueness of field values
• Compliance with defined patterns or expressions

9. List the types of reports generated in JIRA.

Here are the types of reports generated in JIRA:

• Time Tracking Report
• Pie Chart Report
• Average Age Report
• Single Level Group by Report
• User Workload Report
• Recently Created Issues Report
• Workload Pie Chart Report
• Resolution Time Report
• Resolved vs. Created Issues Report

10. How do you clone an issue in JIRA?

To clone an issue in JIRA, follow these three steps:

• Open the issue you want to clone and click on the ‘More Actions’ tab.
• Select the ‘Clone’ option from the dropdown menu.
• Edit the summary of the cloned issue if necessary, then click ‘Create’ to clone the issue.

11. Tell us about the limitations when working with a workflow in JIRA.

When working with a workflow in JIRA, there are some limitations to keep in mind. For example:

• Editing the draft of an active workflow has restrictions. We cannot change the workflow name or delete existing workflow statuses.
• It’s not possible to add regular or global outgoing transitions if a status doesn’t already have outgoing transitions.
• We cannot alter the step ID within the workflow.

12. What is the difference between Bugzilla and JIRA?

Bugzilla and JIRA are both tools used for tracking issues in software development, but they have some differences. Bugzilla is free and mainly focuses on tracking bugs, while JIRA, created by Atlassian, is a paid tool with more features.

JIRA and Bugzilla are two popular bug-tracking tools used by many organizations.

JIRA	Bugzilla
Commercial tool	Open-source tool
Supports drag-and-drop issue prioritization	Does not support drag-and-drop prioritization
Allows defining multiple workflows	Not as user-friendly as JIRA
Configurable link types and remote links	Limited link types and Bug ID custom field
Offers flexible JQL language for searching	Provides advanced search options
Conditional configuration based on the project	Conditional configuration based on field values
Offers numerous custom field types	Supports basic custom field types
Limited to the conditional configuration	Offers powerful advanced search

13. Explain the three colour indicators to show time spent in JIRA and their significance.

In JIRA, time spent on an issue is indicated by three colours: Blue, Green, and Orange. It is accessible under the ‘Time Tracking’ section.

• Blue: Represents the ‘Original Estimate’, indicating the estimated time needed to resolve the issue.
• Green: Indicates the ‘Time Logged’, displaying the actual time spent on the issue so far.
• Orange: Reflects the ‘Time Remaining’, showing the remaining time required to resolve the issue.

14. How can you ensure data security and privacy in JIRA?

To ensure data security and privacy in JIRA:

• Keep JIRA software updated regularly to receive security patches.
• Enable two-factor authentication and use strong passwords.
• Utilize a firewall to control access to JIRA and block unauthorized traffic.
• Set up permissions to restrict access to authorized users only.
• Encrypt sensitive data stored in JIRA to protect it from breaches.
• Backup your JIRA data regularly for disaster recovery purposes.

JIRA Administration Interview Questions

Here are some important JIRA admin interview questions with answers:

15. How do you create a new project in JIRA?

To create a new project in JIRA, you navigate to the “Projects” dropdown menu and then click on “Create Project.” Next, you select the appropriate project type and fill in essential details like project name and key. Finally, you designate a project lead and hit “Create” to finalize the new project setup. This straightforward process ensures quick and efficient project creation in JIRA.

16. How do you add users to a JIRA project?

To add users to a JIRA project, go to the project settings, select “Permissions,” and then click on the permission scheme associated with the project. From there, you can add users or groups and assign them specific project roles such as administrators, developers, or viewers.

17. What are JIRA schemes, and how do they work?

JIRA schemes are configurations that determine how certain aspects of a project behave, such as permissions, issue types, and workflows. 

These schemes can be associated with multiple projects to ensure consistency across the instance. To configure schemes, go to the JIRA administration settings and select the relevant scheme type to make adjustments.

JIRA Interview Questions for Testers

Here are some important interview questions on JIRA for testers:

18. How do you track defects in JIRA?

“To track defects in JIRA, I start by creating a new issue specifically for the defect. I fill in details like descriptions and steps to reproduce and attach any relevant files or screenshots. 

Once logged, I assign the defect to the appropriate team member for resolution, ensuring clear communication and accountability throughout the defect resolution process.”

19. How do you generate test reports in JIRA?

“Generating test reports in JIRA is essential for communicating testing progress and results to stakeholders. I use built-in reporting features or plugins to create custom dashboards or pre-built report templates. 

These reports visualize test execution progress, defect trends, and other key metrics, providing stakeholders with valuable insights into the overall quality of the product.”

20. How do you manage test cycles in JIRA?

“Managing test cycles in JIRA involves organizing test cases into cohesive groups for execution. I create test cycle issues and add relevant test cases to them. 

This allows me to track progress, update execution statuses, and prioritize testing efforts effectively. By organizing test cycles based on release or sprint, I ensure efficient test planning and execution, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of the software.”

Scenario-Based JIRA Testing Tool Interview Questions

Here are some common scenario-based JIRA tool interview questions with answers:

21. A new team member joins your testing team and needs to become familiar with testing processes in JIRA. How do you onboard and train them effectively?

“I start by providing the new team member with access to relevant JIRA projects and documentation. I conduct training sessions to familiarize them with JIRA’s features, including creating and executing test cases, logging defects, and generating reports. 

I also pair them with experienced team members for hands-on training and support during their initial testing activities.”

22. You’ve identified a gap in test coverage for a particular feature in JIRA. How do you ensure that this gap is addressed and adequately tested? 

“To address the gap in test coverage, I create new test cases specifically targeting the identified feature in JIRA. I collaborate with the testing team to review and validate the new test cases. 

Once approved, I schedule the execution of these test cases and monitor the results to ensure comprehensive testing of the feature.”

Also Read - Top 25 Program Manager Interview Questions and Answers

JIRA Interview Questions for Scrum Master

Here are some important questions on JIRA for Scrub Master:

23. As a Scrum Master, how do you use JIRA to facilitate sprint planning?

“As a Scrum Master, I use JIRA to facilitate sprint planning by first ensuring that the product backlog is prioritized. During the sprint planning meeting, I work with the team to select user stories or tasks from the backlog and create sprint goals and commitments in JIRA. 

I assist the team in estimating the effort required for each task and breaking them down into manageable chunks, ensuring alignment with sprint objectives.”

24. How do you ensure transparency and collaboration within the team using JIRA as a Scrum Master? 

“To ensure transparency and collaboration within the team, I leverage JIRA’s collaborative features such as shared dashboards, comments, and notifications. I encourage team members to update their progress in JIRA regularly and use @mentions to communicate with each other.

 I also facilitate regular backlog refinement sessions and sprint retrospectives, using JIRA to capture feedback and action items to continuously improve team performance.”

25. How do you use JIRA to manage dependencies and coordinate work across multiple teams as a Scrum Master? 

“To manage dependencies and coordinate work across multiple teams, I utilize JIRA’s cross-project tracking and linking capabilities. I establish clear communication channels and hold regular sync meetings with other Scrum Masters, or team leads to identify and resolve dependencies. 

I use JIRA to link related issues across projects, visualize dependencies using dependency graphs, and collaboratively plan and prioritize work to ensure smooth coordination and delivery across teams.”

Also Read - Top 60+ Business Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Tips for Answering Interview Questions for JIRA

Here are some helpful tips you can follow when answering JIRA related interview questions:

• Familiarize yourself with JIRA

Before the interview, make sure you have a good understanding of JIRA’s features and functionalities.

• Review common JIRA tasks

Practice creating projects, issues, workflows, and reports in JIRA to feel comfortable discussing them during the interview.

• Highlight relevant experience

Prepare examples from your previous roles where you used JIRA for project management, issue tracking, or agile methodologies.

• Use clear and concise language

When answering questions, avoid technical jargon and explain concepts in simple terms.

• Showcase problem-solving skills

Be prepared to discuss how you’ve addressed challenges or optimized processes using JIRA in your previous projects.

• Demonstrate adaptability

Showcase your ability to customize workflows, reports, and dashboards in JIRA to meet specific project requirements.

• Stay positive and confident

Approach interview questions with a positive attitude and confidence in your abilities to effectively use JIRA for project management and collaboration.

Conclusion

These are the 25 most commonly asked JIRA interview questions by IT companies. Learning how to answer these questions can greatly help you with interview preparation. By understanding these questions and their answers, you’ll be better equipped to tackle your interview confidently. And if you are looking for Jira job opportunities, or any other IT vacancy, visit Hirist. With its extensive database of tech positions from top companies, Hirist provides a user-friendly platform for job search. Connect with potential employers and take your career to new heights with Hirist.