Learn how to use issues

Let's have a look at new issues and introduce the different fields you’ll encounter when creating one.

Issue fields

Issues can be comprised of much more than their four required fields (tracker, subject, status and priority); in fact, there are a ton of useful fields that can really bring your Planio issues to life. Let’s explore them by walking through the process of creating a new issue.

Please note that based on your role and the enabled modules in your project not all of the shown fields may be available.

The basics: tracker, private, subject, and description

Planning and project related fields

Please note that if you don't have issue categories or milestones yet, the fields will not be shown. You can create them within your project Settings.

Customer related fields

Planio lets you work together with your customers even when they haven't got their own user account. If an issue is associated with a customer company and contact, you can optionally send issue updates to your customers via e-mail. Their response will automatically update the respective issue in Planio. Both companies and contacts can be managed in the Customers tab within your project.

Files and watchers

Finalizing your issue

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Spotlight: The Status Field

Assigning a status to an issue is pretty straightforward: during issue creation or editing just select the most appropriate option (if you want to define custom statuses or workflows, you may want to check out this FAQ entry).

Status field options, like many fields in Planio, can be customized according to your organization’s needs. For example, in a change management or customer service environment, status options might include new, in progress, resolved, feedback, closed and rejected:

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Of course if your organization is a bit more laid-back, you may prefer something along these lines…

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If you’re a PM, using watchers is a great way to keep everyone in your organization in the loop when it comes to project issues. Do you include issue watchers? Tell us how you customize your Planio issues via a Comment below!

Your dedicated Planio blogger, Brian, is currently studying German, reading “The Canterbury Tales,” and (of course) preparing a cheeseburger for dinner.