Sync Stack Rank between Jira & Jira Align
Asked by ytoeda:

Is there anyway we could pull rank from Jira to Jira Align?

I know the reverse direction (pull rank from Jira Align to Jira) is possible.

If not, is there a way to sync stack rank of the Program Kanban in JA with the Program Backlog?

We want to use a Program Kanban board to visually track Epic (feature in JA) intake process.

We would like to have one place where the product team can track \& prioritize the Epic.

Thanks.

Yasuko


Answers:
author: Shawn Kessler
body: **Ranking To and From External Systems**

If you're using the Jira connector to integrate Jira Software with Jira Align, you can manually synchronize the backlog rankings for features and stories (Jira Software epics and stories, respectively). This option is only available in the Feature and Story Backlog when a program is selected in the Configuration bar and the PI is set to **None.**

To update the current list or kanban backlog view in Jira Align with the ranking from Jira Software:

1. In the backlog list (or Kanban board) of features or stories, click **Pull Rank** .
2. From the drop-down menu, select the **Pull rank from the External System** .
3. In the confirmation modal, click **Yes** to create a job for the connector to update the rank in Jira Align.

To update the backlog view in Jira Software with the ranking from Jira Align:

1. In the backlog list (or Kanban board) of features or stories, click **Pull Rank** .
2. From the drop-down menu, select the **Push rank to External System** .
3. In the confirmation modal, click **Yes** to create a job for the connector to update the rank in Jira Software.

-Shawn

P.S. This information can be found in the Jira Align Help Center at:  
<https://agilecrafthelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002917308-10X-Prioritize-Rank-Work-Items-in-the-Backlog>

comments: author: sachin gangam
body: Hello [@Shawn Kessler](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3113548) I think this article needs an update <https://help.jiraalign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002917308-10X-Prioritize-Rank-Work-Items-in-the-Backlog> . The steps listed in the article says "Navigate to the Backlog, select a program in the Configuration bar, and set the Configuration bar PI to **All** (symbolized by a plus sign in the context menu for PI)." while it is supposed to be "PI is set to **None".**


author: Shawn Kessler
body: WIll investigate, thx


author: Peter Jessen
body: [@ytoeda](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3622415),

[@Shawn Kessler](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3113548)'s answer above is spot on, as you'd expect from the the Head of Jira Align's Knowledge Management team. :-)

One minor assumption not addressed (at least I don't think I see it here) in Shawn's answer is the actual setting in the Jira Connector that needs to be turned on for pulling and pushing rank between the system's to work.

Your Jira Align System Admin needs to:

1. Navigate to **Administration -\> Connectors -\> Jira Settings -\> Jira Setup tab**.
2. Scroll down to the **Settings** section.
3. Set **Enable Rank Sync** to **Yes**.

If that settings is set to **No** , then the **Pull rank from the External System** and **Push rank from the External System** functionality won't be enabled.

[@Shawn Kessler](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3113548)- Maybe it makes sense to add this prerequisite/assumption to the article?

[@ytoeda](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/3622415)- Best practice, in my experience, is to only sync feature prioritization/rank at the PI boundary and sync story rank at the PI and sprint boundary. Your feature rank shouldn't change much during a PI, assuming an organization is following a proper prioritization process. At most, you would sync feature and story rank at the PI and sprint boundaries, but never during a sprint that is in progress.

Regards,  
Peter