Time is one of the most valuable resources in any project — and knowing exactly how it’s spent can make or break your success. In 2025, Jira continues to be the go-to tool for agile teams, and its time tracking in jira feature remains a key driver of productivity and accountability.

Whether you’re managing a small development team or overseeing multiple projects, Jira software time tracking functionality can help you plan better, allocate resources effectively, and deliver results on time.

Why Time Tracking in Jira Matters

Time tracking Jira goes beyond simply recording hours — it provides deep insights into team performance and project health.

Here’s why it’s so valuable:

• Better Resource Allocation — Balance workloads and prevent burnout by understanding exactly where team time goes.
• Improved Estimations — Use historical time logs to make more accurate predictions for future tasks.
• Greater Transparency — Give managers and stakeholders a clear view of task progress and potential roadblocks.
• Performance Insights — Identify areas where processes can be optimized by comparing estimated vs. actual time.
• Accurate Billing & Cost Control — Perfect for agencies and service providers billing clients by the hour.
• Progress Monitoring — Track whether your team is ahead, on schedule, or falling behind.

How to Enable Time Tracking in Jira

Before your team can log work, you need to make sure the feature is active:

1. Open Jira Project Settings.
2. Go to Issues → Fields.
3. Ensure Time Tracking is enabled for your issue screen.
4. Configure time formats and defaults to suit your workflow.

How to Log Time in Jira

Once enabled, logging time is quick and simple:

1. Open the issue you worked on.
2. Click the More menu (three dots).
3. Select Log Work.
4. Enter time spent (e.g., 2h for two hours, 1d for one day).
5. Optionally add a description, date, or links to related work.
6. Click Save.

Best Practices for Time Tracking Success

• Log Consistently — Record time right after completing work to ensure accuracy.
• Estimate First — Always start with a time estimate for better planning and comparison.
• Review and Adjust — Update remaining time estimates if tasks take longer than expected.
• Automate Reminders — Use Jira Automation to prompt or auto-log repetitive work.
• Use Reports — Monitor project health with Jira’s Time Tracking and Work Log reports.
• Stay Realistic — Avoid over- or under-estimating to prevent missed deadlines or false progress.
• Add Context — Include meaningful notes in your work logs for clarity and future reference.
• Break Big Tasks — Use sub-tasks for more accurate tracking and detailed insights.

Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

• Inconsistent Logging — Integrate time tracking into your daily routine.
• Time Tracking Feels Like a Chore — Keep it quick and simple with automation.
• Too Many Features — Start with the basics, then explore advanced reports and add-ons.

Extend Jira Time Tracking with RVS Apps

If you want deeper insights and more flexibility, try these Atlassian Marketplace tools:

• Worklogs Time Tracking & Timesheets — Generate flexible time reports, filter data, and add bulk time entries easily.
• Time in Status Reports — Identify delays by tracking how long issues stay in each status or with each assignee.

Final Thoughts

Jira software Time tracking is more than a management tool — it’s a productivity booster, a cost saver, and a decision-making powerhouse.

By making time logging a consistent habit, using realistic estimates, and leveraging Jira’s reports (or enhanced add-ons), your team can work smarter, deliver on time, and continuously improve.

Start tracking your time today and see how it transforms your workflow, project accuracy, and team efficiency in 2025.