Work item hierarchy

Use Show hierarchy to focus the board on one level of Jira’s work item hierarchy. For example, show epics as cards with their direct stories, tasks, and bugs underneath.

Choose a hierarchy level

1. Open Display → Show hierarchy.
2. Choose a level, such as Epic. The options use the work type names configured in the Jira spaces on the board. A level can include several work types.
3. Select Save in the board toolbar to keep the setting with the view.

Choose None (individual cards) to show all matching work items as separate cards. Older views that already nest subtasks may still show Subtasks under parent until you choose a different option.

See child work and progress

The Child work items summary shows the number of completed children out of the total and a progress ring before you expand it. For example, 2/5 means two of the five direct children are in the Done status category. Hover over or focus the summary to see the breakdown of completed, in-progress, and remaining work. When all children are complete, the summary shows the Done icon.

Select the summary to expand the direct children. Select a child’s name to open it in Jira or select its status to use the status picker. Jira workflow and edit permissions apply. The progress summary refreshes after status changes.

How hierarchy affects the board

• Filters, search, columns, grouping, and WIP limits apply to the cards at the selected level. For example, on a board showing epics, a WIP limit counts matching epics.
• Expanded rows show the direct children you can access in Jira, including children outside the board’s filters or included spaces. A matching child cannot bring a filtered-out parent onto the board.
• Each row shows one direct child. To see that child’s own children or edit its other fields, open it in Jira.
• Moving a parent card changes only that work item. To change a child’s status, use its own status control.