Before we get into customizing columns, we first need to take a quick look at workflows in relation to Jira. As you may already know, Jira uses workflows to move an issue from one status to the next. Jira also leverages this feature by mapping its columns to workflow statuses. However, if you are not familiar with how workflow works in Jira, do not worry—we will cover workflows in detail in Chapter 5, Customizing Jira Software.

Since workflows in Jira can often get very complicated, it is sometimes difficult to use the traditional Jira workflows in an agile environment. So Jira introduced what is known as the agile simplified workflow.

Agile simplified workflow refers to workflows that are managed directly from within Jira that are simplified and streamlined for agile usage.

This allows you to:

• Maintain your workflow from your agile board, managed as board columns
• Move issues freely from one status (column) to another without restrictions from workflow conditions and validators
• Not have intermediate screens where you move issues between statuses, making it much easier to move cards (issues) on your boards
• Automatically set resolution values (as per your definition) when issues are moved to appropriate statuses (columns)

If you have created your agile board by using the built-in agile templates, then you are most likely using an agile simplified workflow.