Get started

You need to be a Jira admin to set up Personal WIP Limits.

1. Set the limit

Jira Settings (gear icon) → Apps → Personal WIP Limits. 1. Work items in progress per person: for example 3. 2. Count work items: across all projects (one limit per person), or per project (a limit in each project). 3. Optional: Project limits. A limit of 0 switches checks off in that project in both modes. Other values give the project its own limit when counting per project. 4. Optional: Exempt groups, for example an on-call or lead group whose members have no limit. 5. Select Save.

2. Add the rule to your workflows

The limit is checked only on transitions that have the rule.

Company-managed projects: 1. Jira Settings → Work items → Workflows, and edit the workflow. 2. Select the transition into your In Progress status (or each transition that starts work). 3. Under Validate details, select Add rule → Personal WIP limit → Add. 4. Select Update workflow.

Team-managed spaces: Space settings → Work types → select a work type → Workflow, then do the same and save for all work types.

3. Try it

Assign yourself as many work items in progress as your limit, then move one more into In Progress. Jira shows the message and the work item stays where it was.

4. Watch the overview

The Work in progress now section on the settings page shows each person’s work in progress against their limit. Select Refresh to update it.