Build a strategic hierarchy

Your strategy management can be visualized in a hierarchical view, from mission, vision, and values down to theme and epic work items. This hierarchy is built in the strategic backlog.

Navigate to the strategic backlog page in one of three ways:

From any page in Jira Align

1. Select Strategy in the top navigation bar.
2. On the sidebar, select Strategic backlog in the list of options; the strategic backlog page displays.

From the strategy room page

1. In the upper-right of the strategy room, select Strategic Backlog.
2. The strategic backlog page displays with the same snapshot selected in the strategy room.

From the strategy room widgets

1. Select any Missions, Visions, Values, or strategic goal (North Stars, Long Term Goals, Long Term Strategies, or Yearly Goals) label.
2. The strategic backlog page displays with the same snapshot and hierarchy level selected in the strategy room.

On the strategy management page, you can set up all levels of the pyramid. You can prioritize your items by dragging them up and down within the grid. 

Mission

Mission is the most important aim of your organization. This pyramid level answers the question “Why do we exist?”

To create a mission:

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the organization mission and select the snapshot it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select Mission.
4. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
5. Click Save & Close. The mission displays in a grid view on the page. 

Mission work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals.

Vision

Vision is the manner in which your organization sees its work. This pyramid level answers the question “What value do we provide?”

To create a vision:

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the vision and select the snapshot it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select Vision.
4. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
5. Click Save & Close. The vision displays in a grid view on the page.      

Vision work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals.

Values

Your organization's values are the principles it follows in achieving the set goals. This pyramid level answers the question “How do we behave?”

To create a value:

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the value and select the snapshot it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select Values.
4. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
5. Click Save & Close. The value displays in a grid view on the page. 

Value work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals.

North Stars

Set your North Star. This pyramid level answers the question “What is the single measurable goal the organization needs to align to?”

To create a North Star:

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the North Star and select the snapshot(s) it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select North Stars.
4. Select the owner of the North Star from the Owner drop-down menu.
5. In the Allocations box, select the percent of work that will be allocated to each snapshot.  The allocation percentage is 100%.  The 100% allocations will be spread across all associated snapshots.  This means that if there is one snapshot the allocation will default to 100% and if there is more than one snapshot the allocation can be split between the snapshots. 
6. Select a parent item, if applicable.
7. Select the organization structure to which this goal belongs.
8. In the Analysis boxes, enter the following values:
   Complete % = Subjective estimate of how much progress is made on achieving the goal.
   Importance = Scale of 1-10 how important is this goal to the organization?
   Feasibility = Scale of 1-10 how easily or conveniently can this item be completed? Likelihood of success?
9. In the Measurement box, type success criteria that will be used to measure the completion and relative success of this strategic item.
10. In the Target box, type milestones or target dates for all objectives of the goal to be completed.
11. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
12. Click Save & Close. The North Star displays in a grid view on the page.

North Star work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals. From the grid, you can click a goal’s name to view its Details slide-out panel, where you can add additional details:

1. In the Key Results section, add or update key results that will measure the success of the goal.
2. In the Links section, add any external links relevant to the goal. 

Long-term goals

Long-term goals are the intended goals over several years. This pyramid level answers a question “How will we succeed long-term?”

To create a long-term goal:

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the long-term goal and select the snapshot(s) it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select Long-Term Goals.
4. Select the owner of the long-term goal from the Owner drop-down menu.
5. Select a parent item, if applicable.
6. In the Analysis boxes, enter the following values:
   Complete % = Subjective estimate of how much progress is made on achieving the goal.
   Importance = Scale of 1-10 how important is this goal to the organization?
   Feasibility = Scale of 1-10 how easily or conveniently can this item be completed? Likelihood of success?
7. In the Measurement box, type success criteria that will be used to measure the completion and relative success of this strategic item.
8. In the Target box, type milestones or target dates for all objectives of the goal to be completed.
9. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
10. Click Save & Close. The long-term goal displays in a grid view on the page.  

Long-Term Goal work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals. From the grid, you can click a goal’s name to view its Details slide-out panel, where you can add additional details:

1. In the Key Results section, add or update key results that will measure the success of the goal.
2. In the Links section, add any external links relevant to the goal.

Long-term strategies

Long-term strategies are the actions, behaviors, and plans over several years to achieve your long-term goals. This pyramid level answers the question “What is our approach to achieving long-term success?”

To create a long-term strategy: 

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the goal and select the snapshot(s) it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select Long-term Strategies.
4. Select the owner of the long-term strategy from the Owner drop-down menu.
5. Select a parent item, if applicable.
6. In the Analysis boxes, enter the following values:
   Complete % = Subjective estimate of how much progress is made on achieving the goal.
   Importance = Scale of 1-10 how important is this goal to the organization?
   Feasibility = Scale of 1-10 how easily or conveniently can this item be completed? Likelihood of success?
7. In the Measurement box, type success criteria that will be used to measure the completion and relative success of this strategic item.
8. In the Target field, type milestones or target dates for all objectives of the goal to be completed.
9. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
10. Click Save & Close. The long-term strategy displays in a grid view on the page. 

Long-Term Strategy work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals. From the grid, you can click a goal’s name to view its Details slide-out panel, where you can add additional details:

1. In the Key Results section, add or update key results that will measure the success of the goal.
2. In the Links section, add any external links relevant to the goal.

Yearly goals

Yearly goals are the goals your organization sets and aims to achieve that continue throughout a calendar or fiscal year. This pyramid level answers the question “How will we succeed this year?”

To create a yearly goal: 

1. On the toolbar (top-right of the page), click the Add New button.
2. Type a description for the goal and select the snapshot(s) it belongs to in the appropriate fields.
3. From the Type drop-down menu, select Yearly Goals.
4. Select the owner of the goal from the Owner drop-down menu.
5. Select a parent item, if applicable.
6. In the Analysis boxes, enter the following values:
   Complete % = Subjective estimate of how much progress is made on achieving the goal.
   Importance = Scale of 1-10 how important is this goal to the organization?
   Feasibility = Scale of 1-10 how easily or conveniently can this item be completed? Likelihood of success?
7. In the Measurement box, type success criteria that will be used to measure the completion and relative success of this strategic item.
8. In the Target field, type milestones or target dates for all objectives of the goal to be completed.
9. If applicable, type an analysis in the Competitive/Market Assessment box.    
10. Click Save & Close. The yearly goal displays in a grid view on the page. 

Yearly Goal work items are stored in the Goals grid, accessible via Strategy > More items > Goals. From the grid, you can click a goal’s name to view its Details slide-out panel, where you can add additional details:

1. In the Key Results section, add or update key results that will measure the success of the goal.
2. In the Links section, add any external links relevant to the goal.

Theme groups/Themes

Themes are functionality groupings that connect the portfolio vision to the enterprise business strategy. This pyramid level answers the question “What is most important right now?”

To create a theme:

1. In the upper-right corner, click Add New to open a panel where you can set up the theme.

Note: To display theme groups and themes on the strategic backlog, make sure that theme groups are assigned a strategic initiative and themes are assigned a program increment within the snapshot.

Epics

Epics are large, typically crosscutting, customer-facing initiatives that include new development necessary to realize certain business benefits. This pyramid level answers the question “What is most important right now?”

To create an epic:

1. In the upper-right corner, click Add New to open a panel where you can set up the epic.

Program increments

Program Increments are a delivery of software to customers. This pyramid level answers a question “Who will do what and when will they do it?”

To create a program increment: 

1. In the upper-right corner, click Add New to open a panel where you can set up the PI.