I am beginning the development process using Jira with a team of five software developers capable of collaborating on various projects, as well as sharing tasks within the same project at times. What would be the best approach for utilizing Jira? Should I organize projects based on distinct “projects” or by the teams? How does board configuration function in each scenario? Under what circumstances is it beneficial to use an Epic? I am eager to learn about your experiences with Jira.
From my experience, if you have a team of developers who move between different initiatives, setting up Jira projects based on actual projects generally provides clearer structure and traceability. Boards can then be configured to either reflect specific projects or a combination of tasks from various projects that a particular team is working on, which is versatile for teams with diverse responsibilities. As for Epics, they work wonders when you have large features or goals that can be broken down into smaller, manageable tasks or user stories. They really help in maintaining focus on major deliverables while keeping the backlog tidy, especially during planning and reviews.
In my experience, organizing by projects in Jira can lead to more streamlined workflows, particularly when your team members need to focus on specific project targets. When you define projects distinctly, it helps in pinpointing objectives and managing resources effectively. It also simplifies reporting and progress tracking. Board configurations work well when they are adaptable; consider using one board per team that combines tasks from different projects if necessary. Epics are invaluable when your team is working on complex features that span multiple sprints or involve several interconnected tasks, as they help in maintaining a strategic overview while managing detailed tasks individually.
hey! 
i think setting up jira around projects is generally a smarter move coz it helps focus on deliverables rather than who’s working on them. this way, u can easily adapt board setting if teams shift around. use epics for big stuff that need breaking down. keep things clear!