In Jira, the terms version and release are used interchangeably. Technically, Jira uses the word version in configuration screens and the word release in planning and reporting views, but they both represent the same thing: a named package of work that is delivered to users at a specific point in time.
A Jira version or release allows teams to group completed work into a formal delivery milestone. Instead of saying “we shipped some tickets,” teams can say “we shipped version 2.3.1,” and Jira can show exactly what went into that delivery, when it was released, and how much work was completed.
Why Versions and Releases Exist
Releases solve several important Agile problems. They give Product Owners a way to group work into meaningful milestones. They give stakeholders visibility into what features were delivered and what is still in progress. They also provide historical traceability so teams can answer questions like what was released last month, which bugs were fixed in that release, and which features shipped together.
Versions are also used for reporting. Jira calculates release progress, generates release notes, and tracks scope changes using the version field. This turns a collection of tickets into a real, trackable delivery milestone.
Creating Versions from a Kanban Board
One of the fastest ways to create a version is directly from a Kanban board. From the board, you can open the Versions or Releases panel and create a new version by giving it a name and an optional release date. This instantly creates a release container for your project.
On a Kanban board, the Done column represents completed work. Jira allows you to select completed issues and add them to a version. When you do this, Jira automatically updates the Fix Version field on those issues. This links each ticket to the release it will be delivered in.
As more work is completed, you can continue adding Done items to the same version. The version grows organically as delivery progresses. Once everything planned for that milestone is complete, you mark the version as released. Jira freezes the release, finalizes progress, and generates release notes summarizing what was delivered.
Creating Versions from the Releases Tab
Versions can also be created from the Releases tab in the project menu. This is where you manage all versions for the project. From here you can create future versions, set release dates, track progress, and close or archive old versions.
This approach is commonly used when teams plan releases in advance. Product Owners may create upcoming versions like 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 before any work has started. Stories and bugs are then assigned to these versions using the Fix Version field during backlog grooming and sprint planning.
How Fix Versions Work
The Fix Version field is the heart of release management in Jira. When you assign a Fix Version to an issue, you are telling Jira which release that issue belongs to. Jira uses this field to calculate release scope, progress, and generate release notes.
If a ticket is moved out of a release or delayed, you simply change its Fix Version. Jira instantly recalculates the release progress and updates reports. This makes scope changes visible and traceable.
How Releases Are Used in Agile
In Agile environments, versions are often used as milestone markers rather than strict waterfall releases. Teams may create a new version for each sprint, for each monthly deployment, or for each major feature launch. This allows them to track what shipped when without locking themselves into rigid long-term planning.
Releases also integrate with reporting and roadmaps. Jira can show how much of a release is complete, what work is still open, and whether the release is on track.
The Big Picture
Versions and releases turn Jira from a task tracker into a delivery tracking system. They create structure around what was shipped, when it was shipped, and what it included. Whether you create them directly from a Kanban board or from the Releases tab, they provide the foundation for release notes, milestone reporting, and stakeholder communication.
Understanding how to use versions properly is foundational Jira knowledge and is commonly tested on Atlassian certification exams such as ACP-120 and ACP-620.
Understanding this is essential for both real Jira administration and Jira certification success.
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| WIP Limits are tested heavily on Jira certification exams. |
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