Release Governance for Jira
Complete documentation for setting up, configuring, and using the app
What is Release Governance for Jira?
Release Governance for Jira is an Atlassian Forge app that brings structured release management directly into your Jira instance. It enables teams to track every release from draft to deployment with multi-level approval workflows, freeze window enforcement, audit trails, and a leadership dashboard — all without leaving Jira.
Built on Atlassian Forge, all data stays within Atlassian's cloud infrastructure. No external servers, no data leaving your instance.
Key Features
Release Lifecycle
Create, track, and manage releases with configurable workflows. Support for multiple work types and custom templates.
Multi-Level Approvals
Configure up to 5 sequential approval levels mapped to Jira project roles. Approve, reject, or request changes.
Release Templates
Create custom form templates per team or project with built-in and custom sections and fields.
Freeze Windows
Block or restrict releases during specific periods. Date-range, weekly, monthly, or yearly recurring.
Leadership Dashboard
KPI cards, activity charts, attention flags, and detailed release popups for leadership visibility.
Planning Calendar
Visual calendar showing planned releases, freeze windows, and custom events with date selection.
Access Control
Delegate admin access, restrict dashboard visibility, and enforce team membership policies.
Audit Log
Track all configuration changes with who, what, when, and detailed diffs. CSV export for compliance.
How It Works
The app integrates directly into Jira. Here's the typical workflow:
Admin configures the app
Set up a Jira project, work types, approval chain, environments, templates, and team policies in Settings.
Team members create releases
Engineers fill out the release form with service details, version, planned date, and linked tickets. A Jira ticket is automatically created.
Approvers review and approve
Designated approvers at each level review the release in their My Approvals queue. Sequential approval ensures proper governance.
Release progresses through lifecycle
The release moves through states: Draft, Planned, Approval Pending, Approved, Ready for Deployment, Deployed, Released. Each transition is tracked.
Leadership monitors via Dashboard
KPIs, charts, attention flags (delayed approvals, overdue, rollbacks, freeze exceptions), and detailed drill-downs provide full visibility.
Roles in the App
| Role | Who | What they can do |
|---|---|---|
| Admin | Jira admins, Project admins, Delegated users | Configure settings, manage approval chains, freeze windows, templates, audit log, dashboard access |
| User | All team members | Create and manage releases, view registry, use planning calendar |
| Approver | Users with mapped approval roles | Approve, reject, or request changes on releases in My Approvals |
Quick Start
If you're setting up the app for the first time, follow these guides in order:
- Installation & Setup — Install the app and grant permissions
- Jira Configuration — Set up your project and work types
- Approval Chain — Configure approval levels and roles
- Release Templates — Create form templates for your teams
- Creating Releases — Start creating your first release