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Azure DevOps and Jira are two popular tools that developers use to track and manage projects. Although Jira can be used as a project management tool for teams beyond the scope of software development, in this article, we’ll compare the two tools as they are used in connection with software development. Here’s everything you need to know about Azure DevOps vs. Jira, so you can decide which is best for your team.
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Azure DevOps and Jira are both helpful tools for software development teams. Jira uses Agile methodologies, offers additional search functionality and can be used beyond software development projects. Azure DevOps can be used by cross-functional teams throughout the entire lifecycle of a software application.
To collaborate and track software development projects from beginning to end
To collaborate and track software development projects from beginning to end
To collaborate and track software development projects from beginning to end
Created by Microsoft, Azure DevOps used to be called Visual Studio Team Services. It was created as a way to help developers plan, create and deliver software solutions. The platform largely consists of the following five components, each of which can be used independently or with other components:
Users of Azure DevOps like that it can be used at every stage of the software development life cycle—from idea generation and planning to managing code, testing the application and deploying the software.
Jira is a popular software that was initially created by Atlassian as a way for development teams to track bugs and issue resolution but is now used to track other projects as well. Jira’s interface is organized by Epics (large projects), Stories (smaller projects that are part of Epics) and Tasks (single to-dos that make up the Story).
Stories can be cross-functional and typically have a longer timeframe to completion, whereas Tasks are assigned to one specific person and usually completed in a day or less. Using native Agile management, Jira integrates with Confluence and other services to foster efficient management of your development projects.
Jira supports Agile methodology, such as Scrum and Kanban, and allows teams to adjust workflow iterations and add more features while in progress, which isn’t available with Azure DevOps.
Conversely, Azure DevOps allows teams to view a project from start to finish, along with the connections between various stages and work items, but Jira doesn’t allow teams to view previous tasks or iterations. For instance, users of Jira can’t see whether a completed Story is associated with a software release. Using Azure DevOps, teams can track and view every step in the project from ideation to deployment.
Both Azure DevOps and Jira are popular and useful software development tools, though your best option will largely depend on how you plan to use the tool. If you are looking for something to help you manage the entire life cycle of a software application development, from ideation to deployment, Azure DevOps will probably be your best option. However, if you want a project development tool to be used for software development, as well as other projects, Jira can meet your needs better.
Christine is a non-practicing attorney, freelance writer, and author. She has written legal and marketing content and communications for a wide range of law firms for more than 15 years. She has also written extensively on parenting and current events for the website Scary Mommy. She earned her J.D. and B.A. from University of Wisconsin–Madison, and she lives in the Chicago area with her family.
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
