User Guide

This guide explains how to use the “WSJF Calculation and Sorting for Jira” plugin to prioritize your work in Jira using the Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) framework.

Atlassian is renaming Jira projects → spaces and issues → work items. This guide uses the new terminology and calls out legacy labels that may still appear in the product during the rollout.

What is WSJF?

Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF ) is a prioritization model used by lean and agile organizations to deliver maximum value. It’s a key part of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

Benefits of WSJF:

Maximizes Economic Benefit: Focuses on delivering the most valuable work first.
Data-Driven Decisions: Provides a clear formula for objective prioritization.
Reduces Bottlenecks: Streamlines workflows.
Enables Decentralized Decision-Making: Empowers teams to make informed prioritization decisions.

How WSJF Works:

WSJF calculates the Cost of Delay to determine priority. The formula is:

WSJF = (Business Value + Time Criticality + Risk Reduction or Opportunity Enablement) / Job Size

Why Use the WSJF Plugin?

This plugin automates WSJF calculation and sorting in Jira.

Key Features:

Automated Calculation: Calculates WSJF values in real-time.
Flexible Configuration: Customize input fields, scales, and inheritance.
Easy Sorting: Sort work items by WSJF value with one click.
Seamless Integration: Works within your existing Jira workflows.
Native Jira Fields: Leverages Jira’s native custom field types.

Getting Started

Input Values: Enter values for each work item’s Business Value, Time Criticality, Risk Reduction or Opportunity Enablement, and Job Size. You can find these fields on your work item view screen within your Jira space.
View WSJF Score: The plugin automatically calculates and displays the WSJF score. You can see this score on your work item view screen and in your work item list views (e.g., backlog, board).
Sort Work Items: Sort work items by WSJF score in your backlog, boards, or sprints.
- Business Spaces: Use the “Sort Work Items by WSJF” button in the Apps section of the horizontal navigation menu.
- Software Spaces: Use the “WSJF Actions” button in the top right corner of your board.

How the Plugin Works

WSJF Calculation

Formula: WSJF = (Business Value + Time Criticality + Risk Reduction or Opportunity Enablement) / Job Size
Automatic Calculation: WSJF values update instantly when input fields change.
Empty Values: Treated as 0 (ensure “Job Size” is never 0 to avoid errors).

WSJF Inheritance

Inheritance: Work items can inherit WSJF values from parent epics.
Configuration: Enable/disable inheritance in space settings.

Sorting Functionality

Sort Locations: Sort from the agile boards.
Sort Scopes: Sort the entire board, backlog, or sprints.
Sort Order: Descending order of WSJF value.
Manual Override: Re-order work items after sorting.

Settings and Configuration

Space Settings

Configure plugin settings in Space settings > WSJF for Jira settings.

Map Custom Fields: Change fields used in the WSJF formula.
Toggle WSJF Inheritance: Enable or disable inheritance.

Default Space Settings

Configure global default settings in Settings > Apps > Default space settings.

Tips and Best Practices

Define Input Scales: Ensure your team understands the scales used.
Regularly Review WSJF Values: Keep values updated.
Train Your Team: Ensure everyone understands WSJF.