Update Status for Stories, Tasks and Subtasks in Jira
Keeping statuses up to date ensures accurate reporting, visibility, and coordination across project teams. All Stories, Tasks, and Subtasks follow a simple workflow: To Do → In Progress → Done
Workflow Overview
Each issue starts in the To Do status. The assigned team member is responsible for updating the status as work progresses.
Status Definitions:
To Do – Task has not started yet.
In Progress – Work is actively being done.
Done – Task is complete and deliverable is finalized.
Status changes also trigger key automations:
Actual Start Date is set when moved to In Progress
Actual Completion Date is set when moved to Done
Only the Project Manager should use the On Hold or Canceled statuses.
Change Status from To Do → In Progress
When starting work on a Story, Task, or Subtask:
Open the issue in Jira.
Use the status dropdown in the upper-left corner to select In Progress.
Upon updating:
A prompt may appear to confirm or assign the task.
The Actual Start Date is automatically populated.
While the task is in progress:
Add notes or updates in the Comments section to keep the team informed.
Attach any relevant files (e.g., screenshots or documents).
Ensure work is completed by the Planned End Date.
If no Planned End Date is set, notify the Project Manager.
Change Status from In Progress → Done
When the work is finished:
Open the issue and change the status to Done.
A prompt will appear to log the total time worked on the task.
Once marked as Done:
The Actual Completion Date is automatically set.
Logged time is used for project tracking and resource planning.
If uncertain whether a task is ready to be marked Done, confirm with your project/team lead or the Project Manager before updating the status.