The Historic Problem of Jira: Data Without Intelligence
Jira has always been excellent at storing information.
But not so great at interpreting it.
If you wanted something as simple as:
- Calculating a risk based on probability × impact
- Calculating a cost automatically
- Showing a computed date
- Or deriving any value from other fields
you had three options:
- Automations
- Marketplace Apps
- Export data outside of Jira
They all had something in common:
Unnecessary complexity.
The data was in Jira. But the logic wasn't.
What Are Formula Custom Fields
The new Formula Custom Fields are a new type of custom field that allows you to dynamically calculate values based on other fields in the same work item.
In other words:
Jira is starting to think.
These fields:
- Are read-only
- Are calculated automatically
- Can use numbers, dates, text, selectors, priorities, etc.
- Are displayed directly on the issue
And most importantly:
The value is always up to date.
No automations. No scripts. No apps.
Real Examples That Will Now Be Trivial
This unlocks use cases that previously required engineering.
For example:
Financial Management
Total cost:
Story Points × Cost per Point
Risk Management
Risk Score:
Impact × Probability
SLA Tracking
Time remaining:
Deadline − Current Date
Smart Prioritization
Dynamic score based on multiple factors.
All of this, now, native.
The Real Revolution: Jira Becomes a Derived System
Until now, Jira was primarily a data entry system.
With this, it starts becoming a knowledge derivation system.
This has profound implications:
- Fewer automations
- Fewer inconsistencies
- Fewer human errors
- Less dependency on external apps
And more clarity.
But There's Something Even More Important
Atlassian has confirmed that this is just the beginning.
The roadmap already includes:
- Use in JQL searches
- Full support in company-managed projects
- New data types (text, dates, logic)
- Integration with Atlassian Intelligence to generate formulas from natural language
Yes.
Natural language.
The future will look something like:
"Calculate the profit margin"
And Jira will create it.
What This Really Means
This feature eliminates one of the biggest historical dependencies on the Marketplace.
For years, apps like:
- ScriptRunner
- Jira Misc Custom Fields
- Automation for Jira
Have filled this gap.
Now, Atlassian is starting to close it.
And that's significant.
What Many Admins Aren't Seeing (Yet)
This isn't just a new feature.
It's a change in philosophy.
Jira is evolving from:
A tracking system
to
An operational modeling system
Where data isn't just stored.
It's interpreted.
The Real Impact on Organizations
This will reduce:
- Complexity
- Costs
- Dependency on external apps
And will increase:
- Clarity
- Control
- Analytical capability
All within Jira.
Our Take at Quabu
This is, without exaggeration, one of the most important features Jira Cloud has received in years.
Because it eliminates friction.
And in Jira, friction is the real enemy.
(Article by Raúl Peláez Mendoza)