---
title: "BigPicture 8.5.0 Release Notes"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/DLP/297833270/BigPicture%208.5.0%20Release%20Notes"
format: markdown
---
## Improved onboarding and greater ease of use

### [Field mapping](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297635027) screen on the first admin launch of the app

Tasked with configuring BigPicture? First, you need to map Jira fields onto BigPicture… and now the field mapping screen will pop up immediately on your first admin launch of the app.  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


### [Start using BigPicture just by selecting what you want to do](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/2212233786/Concept+of+a+box#000OverviewWizardTiles)

New to BigPicture? No worries! You’ll set your first initiative just by selecting what you want to plan, track, manage, and report on to  import relevant Jira projects into the app.   
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


### [Enterprise-grade templates available to all BigPicture users](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/2212233786/Concept+of+a+box#000BoxTypeTemplates)

Save time by setting up new initiatives with predefined templates. One of the hottest enterprise features is making it into the standard version of the app. Now, our gallery of preset initiative templates is available to all BigPicture users!  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


### [Contextual quick help is always at hand](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297930156)

Now you get instant contextual access to relevant documents right in the app.   


![image](media://a1b46aef-45d0-4cb0-808d-b5e76e1182e2)

## Your management command center is getting more customizable

### [Configurable Overview module column views](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298288087)

Configure what columns of your Overview to show. And save your preferred views for future use - to easily access the big picture view of your business you want.  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


### [Drag-and-drop management of the Overview structure](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298158214/Overview+module.#000ReorderBoxes)

Change the Box order to manual and structure and restructure your portfolio in the most intuitive way. Arrange and rearrange your portfolios and initiatives by simply dragging and dropping items across the Overview module. The items will end up exactly where you place them. 

<span style="color: #172b4d">You can switch between sorting and manual modes without losing the manual data order. </span>  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


## Gantt-charting is becoming more intuitive

### [Snipe to task on Gantt](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298060889)

Searching for specific tasks in the Gantt module is becoming easier and more intuitive. The items you search for are now highlighted and displayed among other items, so you never lose the context.  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


### [Story Point effort mode in the Gantt Resource Panel](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298419666/Resources+panel.#000ResourcesPanelStoryPoints)

If you use Gantt as an agile roadmapping tool or for timelining hybrid initiatives, you can now display the estimated and actual work effort expressed in story points, right in the resource panel.  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


## Resource management is more flexible and intuitive

### [Adding absences by right-clicking on the Resources module](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297930632)

Managing resources is getting even easier. Now, adding an absence in the Resources module takes just a single (right)click.

![image]()

### Planning half-day absences

If your organization’s policy allows for half-day absences, now you can reflect those accurately in BigPicture. 

![image]()

## Upgraded timeboxing and backlog management

### [Board timeboxes based on Jira boards or set manually](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/createpage.action?spaceKey=dlp&title=Synchronize%20Jira%20sprints&linkCreation=true&fromPageId=297833270)

Get the timeboxes your teams are using in Jira automatically synced with your BigPicture Board module.  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


### [In-line task creation from Board's backlog](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298320669)

Working with the Board module is becoming even easier. Now, you can save time during your planning sessions by in-line creating new tasks just by pulling them from the module’s backlog.  
> Macro (inline-external-image)

  


### [Scope greyed-out tasks can be hidden on task structure](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298060889)

Be it backlog prioritization or WBS planning that you are working on in the Scope module, you can achieve a neat, informative view by hiding all irrelevant (filter-based greyed-out) items.  
> Macro (inline-media-image)

  


## Enhanced portfolio management

### [Custom columns based on Strings, Numbers, Dates, and Estimations](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297573377)

Every business case is unique and so are the metrics and indicators you might want to attach and track. Now, you can easily do so by adding your own custom columns based on strings, numbers, dates or estimations.  
> Macro (inline-external-image)

  


## New BigPicture Enterprise features

### [Support for multi-Jira environments (Jira cloud only)](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297931433)

In enterprise environments having multiple Jira instances within an organization is equally common and challenging from the management perspective. Now, you can connect and manage multiple instances of Jira Cloud right in your “master” Jira Cloud instance - and see the full big picture.

![image](media://5905187f-ec27-4d1a-8e63-c96b6725c44e)

### [New report type - Plan delay](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297995459)

**Automatically list all overdue work items**

Spotting all the work items that are behind the baseline and including them in your reports takes no time with the new enterprise report type - Plan delay. You simply add it to your Reports module and get an always up-to-date table of the overdue items you need to handle to keep all the initiatives on track.  
> Macro (inline-external-image)

  


## Other changes

| **Category** | **Feature description** | **Sneak peek** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Navigation and layout | **Scope definition**<br>The "save" button is positioned at the bottom left. | ![image](media://07281f99-e40c-4df3-9c26-08f366fdce49) |
| **App Configuration** and **App Administration** - direct links to frequently used app configuration pages (wrench icon at the top right → drop-down menu) | ![image](media://cdddb1fb-a9ba-4108-b455-420b49fa8dd9) |
| <span style="color: #28303e">**Roadmap module - renamed to Objectives**</span> | ![image](media://365a7b1c-5416-430a-8854-835f517b1031) |
| **Scope module - it's possible to resize the ****[details panel](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298419175)** | ![image]() |
| **Reports module - new lightbox (****[presentation view](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297668284)****)**<br><span style="color: #172b4d">When the Lightbox mode is active, you can use the arrows to switch between different rows or charts and also switch to the next or previous chart</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">Hover over the bars to show the task count in each category</span> | ![image]() |
| **Reports module - ****[task report](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297767191)**** form (updated)** | ![image]() |
| **Resources module - ****[task details](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297603563)**<br><span style="color: #172b4d">When a field has no value, it is shown as "</span>**Unassigned**<span style="color: #172b4d">" or "</span>**Unestimated".** | ![image]() |
| <span style="color: #172b4d">**App settings drop-down (wrench icon at top right) updated**</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">Jira Admin and/or App Admin is able to find all the settings he/she is looking for easily and quickly.</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">You can navigate directly to a particular settings tab:</span><br>- <span style="color: #172b4d">[App administration](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297963784)</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Box types</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Resources</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Security</span>
- <span style="color: #172b4d">[App configuration](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/296983374)</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">General</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Modules</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Integrations</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Widgets</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Security</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">License</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Region</span>
  - <span style="color: #172b4d">Advanced</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">**Important:**</span><span style="color: #172b4d"> drop-down options are role dendent</span> | ![image](media://76b2c301-fdfb-481f-9bea-d952a074836b) |
| Field mapping | You can review and change the field mapping.<br>Changes affect only the project the Box is based on (separate configuration saved by the app).<br>**Conditions**: applicable only when the scope of a Box is based on a single Jira project. | ![image]()<br>![image](media://3d131662-8316-4dba-86f8-68889981b56e) |
|  |  |
|  |  |
| Gadgets | **[Box hierarchy gadget](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298321583)**** - sort the Box list**<br>You can sort the list by:<br>- name
- ID
- type
- status
- start date
- end date
- leader<br>The sorting in the gadget does not impact the order of the Boxes presented in the Overview module. | ![image]() |
| **[Box hierarchy gadget](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298321583)**** - simplified filtering**<br>The following filters are available:<br>- status
- type
- favorites
- my boxes | ![image]() |
| **[Risks gadget](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297571825)**** - gadget height can be adjusted**<br><span style="color: #172b4d">To change the width use the "Edit layout" option of a dashboard.</span> | ![image]() |
| <span style="color: #28303e">**Filtering on the **</span><span style="color: #28303e">**[Risk gadget](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297571825)**</span><span style="color: #28303e">** is independent of filtering on the Risk module**</span> | ![image]() |
| <span style="color: #28303e">**Filtering on the **</span><span style="color: #28303e">**[Calendar gadget](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297931258)**</span><span style="color: #28303e">** is independent of filtering on the Calendar module**</span> | ![image]() |
| new task duration fields | <span style="color: #172b4d">**Two new task duration fields are available**</span><span style="color: #172b4d">:</span><br>- <span style="color: #172b4d">Duration calendar days - based on the number of calendar days (start to end date)</span>
- <span style="color: #172b4d">Duration working days - based on the number of working days (non-working days excluded</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">Those fields can be added to colum views/cards in BigPicture modules. </span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">**Important:**</span><span style="color: #172b4d"> Read-only fields - the "duration" fields have informational value and are based on task data.</span> | ![image]() |
| Overview module | **[Column views](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298288087)**** - full functionality added to the Overview module**<br>In the Overview module you can:<br>- make temporary changes to an existing view (doesn't affect other users)
- update an existing column view
- create a new column view<br>**Important**: C<span style="color: #172b4d">olumn views of the Hierarchy mode and Timeline mode are independent and must be changed separately.</span> | ![image]() |
| **Box status - ****[inline editing ](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297995753)**<br>You can add a "Status" column to the Overview module. Then, use inline editing to change the value and update a Box status. | ![image]() |
| **"****[Inactive for](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298288087/Column+View#000InactiveFor)****" column is available**<br>You can see when the Box has been used for the last time. | ![image]() |
|  |  |
| Creating Boxes | **Define Box scope during Box creation**<br>You can add Jira projects to the scope of the Box during the creation process.<br>**Note**: After creation, advanced settings are available in Box configuration. If you want the Box to be based on a Jira board or filters configure the scope after a Box has been created. | ![image](media://f74fffad-fc85-4dea-8cb7-d6f771416af2) |
| **Box type templates**<br>11 Box type templates are available to all BigPicture users. When creating a new Box, select a Box type that best suits your business needs.<br>Templates can be reviewed and edited in app administration.<br>- **Agile project - **A built-in type, that is recommended for projects run in agile methodology
- **Classic project - **A built-in type, that is recommended for classic (waterfall) projects
- **Hybrid project - **A built-in type, suitable for hybrid projects involving agile and classic approaches
- **Hybrid stage - **A built-in type, that helps to organize hybrid project schedule into stages
- **Iteration - **A built-in type, that helps to schedule work iteratively
- **LeSS Requirement Area - **A built-in type, designed for multiple teams working together on one product.
- **Portfolio - **A built-in type, that stores agile, classic and hybrid types of projects
- **Program - **Basic Box type that lets you divide the work into lower levels such as Iterations, Stages or Program Increments
- **Program Increment - **A built-in type, that allows for grouping iterations into increments (recommended for SAFe® adopters)
- **SAFe Art - **A built-in type, to represent an Agile Release Train (recommended for SAFe® adopters)
- **Sprint - **A built-in type, that helps to schedule work iteratively
- **Stage - **A built-in type, that helps to organize classic project scope into stages | ![image](media://e6ecaf3c-749b-49f5-a971-1c84b72e7817) |
| **Default module names** are the same for all Box types | ![image](media://b552a0b3-6a04-4315-8eb6-854d5ec5cdae) |
| <span style="color: #000000">Resources module</span> | **Create tasks**<br><span style="color: #000000">[Using the '+Add' button](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298287770)</span><span style="color: #000000">, you can:</span><br>- <span style="color: #000000">create new tasks</span>
- <span style="color: #000000">go to Scope definition</span> | ![image]() |
| <span style="color: #28303e">[Search by Teams name and multi-select filter on Resources module](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298321215)</span> | ![image]() |
| Story Points conversion | <span style="color: #28303e">**[Story points conversion ratio](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/296851170)**</span><span style="color: #28303e">** can be set to "0"**</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">Can be useful in connection with the </span><span style="color: #28303e">**[velocity report](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/298159553)**</span><span style="color: #172b4d">**.**</span><br><span style="color: #172b4d">When a team is still learning to estimate its velocity, the conversion ratio changes from sprint to sprint. You may prefer to show the velocity of future iterations as unknown (=0) and wait for the scrum master to later enter the correct value based on historic data (capacity planning tab of the Board module).</span> | ![image](media://ff50d0fd-0708-45e5-b001-a8a8fbc53d21) |
| Resources panel (Gantt module) | <span style="color: #28303e">**Story Points effort mode is available on the Resource Panel (Gantt module)**</span> | ![image]() |
| Teams | **Teams from a lower Box can be ****[assigned to an upper Box](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/createpage.action?spaceKey=dlp&title=Allocating%20Teams&linkCreation=true&fromPageId=297833270)**<br>- teams from upper-level Boxes > Macro (inline-media-image)
- teams from lower-level Boxes > Macro (inline-media-image) |  |
| Security roles | **Board module - ****[capacity planning](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297865366)**<br><span style="color: #28303e">**Box editor**</span><span style="color: #28303e"> can edit capacity planning values on Board.</span><br><span style="color: #28303e">**Box viewer**</span><span style="color: #28303e"> has read-only access to capacity planning on Board module.</span> | ![image](media://c15a1fe8-0e79-408b-b086-2b94650adfa2)<br>![image](media://6df62683-f3ee-4861-a072-e9d305a7bad7) |
| BigTemplate | <span style="color: #28303e">**[Scope module - export to .pdf ](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/DLP/pages/297540080)**</span> | ![image]() |
| **Import date format**<br><span style="color: #172b4d">Three date formats are recognized:</span><br>- yyyy-MM-dd (e.g. 2021-12-31)
- dd-MM-yyyy (e.g. 31-12-2021)
- MMM/dd/yyyy (e.g. Dec/31/2021). |  |