Plan projects in Freehand with the Jira add-on

Projects are complex, cross-functional efforts. Product managers need to keep everyone aligned, get the best information, and make the best decisions. Freehand brings together all the information and context teams need in one place.

The Jira add-on for Freehand combines Freehand’s inclusive, flexible canvas with Jira’s structured project tracking tool, seamlessly taking projects from ideation to completion. Import Jira issues to Freehand, create Jira issues from the add-on, and change sticky notes into issues. Changes you make to the Jira ticket details (issue ID, summary, type, priority, or status) update in the Jira card in Freehand.

Import Jira issues to Freehand

To import a Jira issue to Freehand using the Jira add-on:

1. Sign in to InVision and open your freehand.
2. On the bottom toolbar, select ••• More tools > Jira. The Jira modal opens.

   Select the pin icon next to the Jira add-on to pin it to the sidebar.

3. Select one of the following options:
   • Connect Jira Cloud: If it's your first time using this add-on, connect the plug-in to your Atlassian account.
   • Configure Jira Data Center: If it's your first time using this add-on, an admin for your organization needs to configure Jira Data Center.
4. In the modal, choose a Jira site and project and select Continue.
   
   You can switch to a different site and project later.
5. Choose the issues you want to add to your freehand and select Import issues from Jira. A new Jira card that includes the Jira issue ID, summary, type, priority, and status appears for each issue in the Freehand canvas.
6. Select the issue ID to open the issue in Jira.

Change the color of the top border of Jira cards by selecting a card and using the Color picker.

Create Jira issues from Freehand

When sprint planning or handing off projects to another team, it's important to connect the work to your existing epics, and track the project in Jira. With the Jira add-on, create new issues from Freehand so everyone sees what they need, where they need to see it.

1. In the toolbar, select Jira. The Jira add-on opens.
2. Select Create Jira issue and complete the fields.

The new Jira issue appears on the canvas. Select the issue ID number to open the issue in Jira.

In Jira, the issue you created includes a link to the Freehand document.

Create Jira issues from sticky notes and cards in Freehand

After a brainstorming or feedback session, your freehand is probably full of sticky notes and cards. Get these items into Jira as stories and tasks by changing the sticky note or card into a Jira issue.

1. Select a sticky note or a card in your freehand to open the contextual menu. You can select several sticky notes and cards to create different Jira tickets.
   
   The sticky note(s) and card(s) need to have text, which becomes the Jira issue summary.
2. In the contextual menu, select the sticky note icon or the card icon .
3. Select Convert to Jira issue. The Jira modal opens.
4. Complete the fields. The text from the card or sticky note auto fills in the Summary field.
5. Select Create Jira issue.

The add-on creates a new issue in your Jira project and converts the sticky note or card into a Jira card. The Jira card in Freehand includes the Jira issue ID, summary, type, priority, and status. Select the issue ID to open the ticket in Jira.

Use boards to organize Jira cards in Freehand and the templates Sprint Planning and Project Task Prioritization to run your planning meetings.

Search for Jira issues

Use the Search field at the top of the Jira add-on to search for the issues you want to add to Freehand. Type your search query and select Enter to view a list of the Jira issues.

Once you type your search query, select JQL below the Search field to search for issues in your project using Jira Query Language (JQL). To switch back to a basic search, select Basic.

You can search for Jira cards in the Freehand canvas by using the keyboard shortcut Cmd+F or Ctrl+F.

Switch to a different site and project

The Jira site and project you choose remain as the default choices in the Jira add-on.

If you need to switch to a different site and project, select Change next to the current project name. Choose a new site and project and select Continue.

Configure Jira Data Center to use the Jira add-on in Freehand

If you’re using Jira Data Center, an admin or owner on your InVision account needs to configure Jira to use the Jira add-on in Freehand. Learn how to configure Jira Data Center to use the Jira add-on in Freehand here: Configuring Jira Data Center to use the Jira add-on in Freehand.