“With CMJ, productivity has been tremendously increased. I would say a 25 to 50% time savings in hours.”

Chad Harris, Systems Analyst IV at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The Challenge

At NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Chad Harris, Systems Analyst IV, faced significant challenges managing workflows and project automation. Before adopting Configuration Manager for Jira (CMJ), manual processes were a major bottleneck. Routine tasks, such as copying project data and handling child issues, consumed valuable time and led to inefficiencies. These tasks were cumbersome for users and required extensive administrative oversight, detracting from more critical mission-focused activities.

The Solution

Chad discovered the CMJ app and immediately recognized its potential to streamline operations. The app's ability to automate the transfer of issue fields between parent and child projects was a game-changer. This feature significantly reduced the manual effort involved in maintaining project data consistency, allowing users to focus on their core responsibilities.

“One of the things that we use it a lot for is child issues and transferring issue fields from parent and child. We use that automation a lot, which we love,”
said Harris.

Moreover, the app's webhook functionality enabled seamless integration with other tools, further enhancing the automation capabilities at JPL. This integration meant that repetitive and error-prone tasks could be handled automatically, reducing the likelihood of human error and improving overall efficiency.

The Impact

Since implementing the CMJ app, productivity at JPL has seen a dramatic increase. Chad estimates a time savings of 25 to 50% in hours spent on administrative tasks. This substantial improvement has been particularly noticeable on the administrative side, where the reduction in manual copying and pasting has freed up valuable time for more strategic activities.

Users at JPL were enthusiastic about the new tool from the outset. The initial rollout was met with excitement and relief, as the app significantly eased their workflow. The improved features and ongoing updates have only strengthened their appreciation for the tool, making it an indispensable part of their daily operations.

“With CMJ, productivity has been tremendously increased,”
said Harris.

Conclusion

Chad Harris’s commitment to maintaining the CMJ app license each year underscores its value to NASA JPL. The significant time savings and productivity gains have validated the decision to adopt the app, making it an integral part of their workflow.

“I fight for the CMJ license every year. Like we gotta keep this. It's getting better and better every year with improved features too, ”
added Harris.

As the CMJ app continues to evolve, JPL looks forward to leveraging its capabilities to further enhance their operations and achieve their mission goals.

About NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958.

JPL developed America's first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft and sending robotic missions to the solar system.

Today, JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance.

How Configuration Manager for Jira helped NASA Jet propulsion laboratory gain 50% time savings

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