Can I order my backlog automatically based on another field

Question

I have a backlog of requirements/user stories which are prioritised using a custom field called ICE Score.

I wish to change the order/stack rank of the backlog based on the value of this field with the highest number at the top.

Is there a way to do this automatically rather than some poor person having to drag and drop things manually?

Answer 1

There is not a native way to do it but I will share you some useful information that can help you make the best decision;

Jira

If you’re using Jira, you can use the "Sort by Any Field" plugin to automatically order your backlog by custom fields like ICE Score. This keeps drag-and-drop functionality for manual tweaks. Check it out at Atlassian Marketplace.

Azure DevOps

In Azure DevOps, backlogs are usually ordered manually, but you can set up Power Automate to automatically adjust the "Order" field based on your ICE Score, though it needs some setup.

Trello

Trello lets you sort lists by custom fields, especially number or date types, and use Butler for automation to keep things ordered by ICE Score.

Asana

Asana allows sorting tasks by custom fields, but it’s unclear if this works directly for backlogs. You might need to set up custom views or rules.

If you tell me which tool you’re using, I can give more specific advice to avoid manual dragging and dropping.

Tool	Native Automatic Ordering	Solution for Custom Field Ordering	Ease of Implementation	Notes
Jira	No	"Sort by Any Field" plugin	Medium	Ideal for custom fields, maintains drag-and-drop.
Jira	No	"Sort by Any Field" plugin	Medium	Ideal for custom fields, maintains drag-and-drop.
Jira	No	"Sort by Any Field" plugin	Medium	Ideal for custom fields, maintains drag-and-drop.
Azure DevOps	No	Power Automate automation	High (requires setup)	Flexible but technical, suitable for large teams.
Trello	Yes (with Butler)	Sort by custom fields, Butler automation	Low	Best for number/date fields, integrated solution.
Asana	Unclear	Possible with rules, custom views	Medium to High	May need additional configuration, less clear for backlogs.

 

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