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How to use Hierarchy for Jira: step-by-step guide

Visualise your tasks and projects in a custom work type hierarchy, making it easy to connect every work item to the bigger picture.
Watch our explainer videos and read the step-by-step instructions on using each key feature, taking you from zero to Hierarchy for Jira pro in under 10 minutes!
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Here's what's in store

Hi there, I'm Jay, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Upscale. I know there's always a learning curve when onboarding your team to a new Jira app.
On this page, we've broken down each key feature of Hierarchy for Jira, with a video overview and instructions of how each part of the app works.
If you need help, have questions, or want a personalised onboarding session, we're here for you!
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  1. Installing Hierarchy for Jira
  2. Visualise your Jira work items in a nested tree view
  3. Link your work items in any way you need to
  4. Add any custom field to your hierarchy for better project context
  5. Aggregate data with roll ups and sum ups
  6. Track progress and create estimates based on your team's schedule
  7. Save and share custom hierarchy views
  8. Create Quick Filters with JQL to find exactly what you need
  9. Share live hierarchy views with key stakeholders
  10. Export your hierarchy to a CSV for flexible reporting

With Hierarchy for Jira, you can:

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Visualise your work in a nested tree view
See how stories, tasks, bugs, subtasks, and any other work items connect to your bigger picture goals with a nested tree view.
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Link work items using any Jira link type
Get visibility into how tasks connect and use your links to create a custom hierarchy that fits even your most ambitious projects.
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Add any Jira or custom field to your hierarchy
Add built-in or custom fields to your hierarchy view, then roll up or sum up your data for instant, simple progress reporting.
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Save, lock, and share custom hierarchy views
Make sure your team members and every key stakeholder are on the same page, and able to see exactly the information they need.

Installing Hierarchy for Jira

To get started, you'll need Hierarchy for Jira installed on your Jira Cloud instance.
1. In Jira, click 'Apps' → 'Explore more apps.'
2. Search for 'Hierarchy for Jira'.
3. Click the app card, then 'Try it free'.
4. Select a 30-day Cloud trial, and confirm.
5. Jira will quickly install your new app, and you're ready to get started!
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How to use Hierarchy for Jira: step-by-step

Now that you've installed Hierarchy for Jira, it's time to get started! Watch our video series to see how each feature works, and follow along in your own Jira instance. Have any questions or need extra help?
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1. Visualise your Jira work items in a nested tree view

Getting started with Hierarchy for Jira and seeing your custom hierarchy is simple. Once the app has been installed via the Atlassian Marketplace, here's how to get started:
  1. Find the 'Apps' section in your Jira sidebar.
  2. Open Hierarchy for Jira.
  3. Watch as your visual hierarchy is generated, based on your existing work item links.
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2. Link your work items in any way you need to

You can easily customise your work type hierarchy by updating the links between your work items.
To do this:
  1. Open any work item from your nested tree view.
  2. View existing links to other work items, and see the type of links that are in place (blocked by, parent of, child of...).
  3. Get improved visibility over your upcoming work and key task dependencies.
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3. Add any custom field to your hierarchy for better project context

Hierarchy for Jira lets you filter, group, and sort your project data exactly how you need it, enabling easier reporting and clarity into your project progress. Here's how to customise your hierarchy:
  1. Click '+' at the top right of your work type hierarchy to open the 'Manage Columns' module.
  2. Add or remove the columns you want to see in your hierarchy view.
  3. Use the data to immediately track progress, spot blockers, and report to stakeholders.
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4. Aggregate data with roll ups and sum ups

See how to use Hierarchy for Jira to roll up or sum up Story Points, time estimates, or custom metrics, making it easy to report to key project stakeholders:
  1. Add roll up and sum up columns to your project.
  2. Create specific columns for roll up and sum up aggregation.
  3. Use these to roll up and sum up data from any column in your table.
  4. Click the three dots by a column name to switch between roll up types.
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5. Track progress and create estimates based on your team's schedule

Hierarchy for Jira allows you to set your team's true working hours, meaning better progress estimates and more accurate reporting. Here's how to set it up:
  1. Click the three dots on the top right of your Hierarchy for Jira view.
  2. Choose 'Time Tracking Settings'.
  3. Add your team's working hours per day and working days per week, then 'Save'.
  4. Your progress estimates will update based on your team's real working hours.
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6. Save and share custom hierarchy views

Create saved views for different teams and stakeholders. Everyone sees the same data, structured the way they need it.
  1. Customise your columns or use JQL filters to show the information you need in your Hierarchy for Jira tree view.
  2. Click on the 'Save as new view' option at the top right of your screen.
  3. Give your new view a name and click 'Save'.
  4. Click on the three dots near the top right of your screen.
  5. Click 'Manage Saved Views'.
  6. Set a team-wide default view, lock views, make a view private, or re-order your saved views to prioritise the ones you rely on most.
  7. Toggle between your saved views from the dropdown at the top of your Hierarchy for Jira screen.
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7. Create Quick Filters with JQL to find exactly what you need

You can use JQL to create handy Quick Filters and easily save them for later. Here's how to use them:
  1. Click the '+' button, which opens the 'Manage Quick Filters' module.
  2. Give your new Quick Filter a name, and add your JQL formula to surface the information you need. Then, click 'Add'.
  3. Your Quick Filters show up at the top of your Hierarchy for Jira tree view, and you can switch between them with a click.
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8. Share live hierarchy views with key stakeholders

Generate live links to your saved views and share them with stakeholders. Here's how to share your hierarchy views:
  1. Click the three dots on the top right of your Hierarchy for Jira view.
  2. Click 'Copy Shareable URL'.
  3. Send the link to whoever you want to share it with.
  4. Or, embed the view directly in Confluence inside an iFrame macro.
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9. Export your hierarchy to a CSV for flexible reporting

Hierarchy for Jira makes it simple to export your entire hierarchy with rollups and data preserved. Here's how:
  1. Click 'Export CSV'.
  2. Open your CSV in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Numbers. The export contains your full work type hierarchy.
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Resources to help you get started

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Documentation
Ready to become a Hierarchy for Jira pro? Visit Hierarchy for Jira's product documentation for release notes, getting started tips, full feature explainers, and more.
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Support portal
Have any questions about Hierarchy for Jira? Visit our product support portal and our helpful support team will be there for you, no matter how specific your question or use case. We're here to help!
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Customer story
See how Robert Nadon of Forty8Fifty Labs uses Hierarchy for Jira to create a SAFe-ready hierarchy, resulting in a 20% efficiency improvement on a project management level and 10% improvement on a developer level.
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Extend Jira's hierarchy to fit your unique project and team. Instantly see your work items in a visual nested tree view, based on your existing work item links. No complex setup required!
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