Easy Tech TutsHow to Create & Manage Dependencies in Jira, Add Dependency in Issues, Tickets, Tasks Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Dependencies in Jira help your team see which tasks need to finish before others can start, keeping the whole project workflow from getting tangled. This guide covers creating dependencies between issues, using linked issue types, and tracking them visually on your board.
01Understand what dependencies do
Dependencies connect related tasks so your team knows the order work needs to happen in, reducing confusion about what's blocking progress.
02Add a dependency between issues
Open an issue and use the link option to connect it to another issue that it depends on or that depends on it.
03Use 'blocks' and 'is blocked by' links
Choose the correct link type to accurately represent the relationship — whether one issue is blocking another or is itself blocked.
04Follow best practices for managing dependencies
Keep dependency chains as simple as possible and review them regularly so blockers get resolved before they delay downstream work.
05Track dependencies on your board
Use Jira's board views to visually monitor which issues have unresolved dependencies affecting their progress.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 'blocks' and 'is blocked by' in Jira?
'Blocks' means the current issue is preventing another from starting, while 'is blocked by' means the current issue can't proceed until another one is resolved.
Can I see dependencies directly on my Jira board?
Yes, linked issues and their dependency status are visible from the issue detail view and can be referenced while managing your board.
Does adding a dependency change an issue's status automatically?
No, dependencies are informational links — you still need to manually update issue status as work progresses.
Is dependency management available on all Jira plans?
Basic issue linking for dependencies is available across standard Jira plans, though advanced dependency visualization features can vary by plan.
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The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
