This article covers how to read and interact with your actual forecast . Want to play around with What If scenarios? Read about simulation mode instead. for your items in progress.
Jump directly to:
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Reading
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the forecast
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The Data Columns
Your forecast is a table broken down into two sections: In Progress and Not Started
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with 5 columns of information. Here’s what each column tells you
Column | Explanation |
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Epics (or |
Versions | Items that you are forecasting. If an epic or version doesn’t have any remaining work to complete then it’s filtered out. Clicking on the item’s title will take you to either the version’s release page or the epic itself. This value is linked. Click on the link to open the epic or version (release). |
Due date (or Release Date) | The due date in your epic or the release date for your version. |
Due date likelihood | How likely it is that the item will be finished by the desired date. |
Items remaining | The number of |
unfinished items associated with your epic or version, excluding subtasks. This value is linked. Click on the link to see the issue filter showing all items in your epic or version. | |
Forecasted date | Given the data configurations and forecast parameters set, you should finish this item on or before this date. (The likelihood of this outcome reflects your chosen |
confidence level.) |
Reordering items
On your actual forecast view, the epics and versions are separated into two groups: Started and Not Yet Started. You can reorder items within a group but you can’t reorder items not yet started above items already in progress when you are in your actual forecast mode. To do that, go to simulation mode and play around with how the forecast changes when you change priority.
Use the vertical order (stack ranking) of the individual rows to simulate the sequencing or order in which the work will be done.
You can reorder rows by drag and drop. As soon as you move one item you’ll see this banner:
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We suggest that you make all of the changes you want and THEN recalculate as the calculations can take time.
The Color Coding
The row background color for forecasted item rows is set according to the likelihood you’ll meet your due date (epics) or release date (versions) - aka your desired date.
Red: < 50% likelihood that you’ll meet your desired date.
Yellow: 50-84% likelihood that you’ll meet your desired date
White: >=85% likelihood that you’ll meet your desired date OR if you have no desired date set.
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Ordering of epics/versionsUntil you start rearranging the epics or versions, the Portfolio Forecaster will order them according to their ranking in Jira. If you have modified the ordering and would like to reset back to rank, click the “Reset order” link in the bottom right corner under the forecast table. This option only shows up when you’ve manually changed away from the natural rank order.  |
Next Step
Now that you know how to get an actual forecasta forecast for your epics or versions in progress, you’re ready to jump to simulation mode and play around with some What If? strategiesquestions! Make sure to become familiar with all of the forecast parameters available when you start viewing items that haven’t yet started!