Streamlining Game Development: Custom Jira-ShotGrid Integration

Quote:

Getint has an ability to empower non-technical users with integrations through their user-friendly interface. It has streamlined the processes and capability to support stakeholders from both ends of our applications —  Play’n GO Project Lead

Client Overview:

Play’n GO is a prominent developer and provider of online gaming content, including slot machines, casino games, and other gaming solutions. With a focus on innovation and high-quality game design, Play’n GO production process involves multiple teams who use different tools to manage tasks and track deadlines.

In this case, Play’n GO required an integration solution to streamline the communication and data flow between two distinct departments that relied on different project management tools: Jira and ShotGrid (now Flow Production Tracking, Autodesk). This integration aimed to synchronize workflows, reduce manual efforts, and enhance collaboration which in turn, enables artists, animators, and producers to focus solely on their work - improving their overall work experience. 

For Play’n GO,  ShotGrid’s visual task tracking, real-time updates, and integration with other tools like Jira, make it an essential platform for keeping creative teams aligned with production schedules and milestones.

Integration Objective:

Play’n GO’s primary goal was to create a seamless integration between Jira and ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking, Autodesk) to:

• Ensure that tasks and deadlines, are up-to-date in both systems.
• Allow Jira users to track ShotGrid tasks without directly accessing ShotGrid
• Avoid manual updates in both systems, which were prone to errors and consumed significant time.
• Efficiency with license requirement planning

Why Getint Was Chosen:

Play’n GO had previously implemented a Jira-Asana integration and had a positive experience with Getint's user-friendly interface, fast setup, and strong support. The tool's intuitive nature was particularly appealing since it allowed teams to avoid extensive technical knowledge while still providing powerful integration functionality. Additionally, Getint's ability to provide custom development support and handle challenges as they arose made them a trusted partner for this integration project.

Data Integration Specifics:

Issue Types:

The integration required handling custom issue types in Jira, including:

• Game Projects: This represents the list of games, tracking all milestones
• Tasks: Specific tasks within the project that are mapped to tasks in ShotGrid.

Field Mapping:

In Jira, the custom fields needed to be mapped to ShotGrid's task data. These fields include deadlines and task statuses. The integration ensured that both tools reflected the same updates without requiring manual synchronization.

Scripting and Custom Development Support:

While the integration involved some technical challenges, particularly around field mapping and data synchronization, Getint’s support team worked closely with Play’n GO to troubleshoot issues, adjust scripts, and fine-tune the integration. This included ensuring that data from Jira tasks were correctly transferred to ShotGrid’s task system, including dates and status updates.

Success Metrics:

The success of the integration was measured by:

• Reduction in Redundant Administrative Tasks: By eliminating the need for manual updates and sync meetings, Play’n GO was able to save significant time & effort.
• Number of Integrated Tasks and Projects: Successful synchronization of projects and tasks between Jira and ShotGrid.
• Reliability: The integration now runs smoothly without requiring daily intervention or manual oversight.
• User Adoption: The ease of use and low maintenance encouraged adoption by teams who had previously been hesitant to use automated tools. 
• Employee Satisfaction: Improving the overall experience for employees involved

Vendor Selection Process:

Play’n GO evaluated a few options for integrating Jira and ShotGrid but ultimately chose Geint due to:

• Their experience with previous integrations (e.g. Jira-Asana bridge).
• The simplicity and user-friendly interface of Getint’s platform.
• Customer support and guidance through the integration & custom development process.

Given Play’n GO’s previous positive experience with Getint’s Jira-Asana tool, the decision to engage them for this more complex Jira-ShotGrid integration was an easy one.

Conclusion:

The integration of Jira and ShotGrid (Flow Production Tracking, Autodesk) using Getint’s solution has been successful at Play’n GO. By automating the transfer of tasks and deadlines, Play’n GO has been able to:

• Improve workflow tasks between multiple teams
• Reduce administrative overhead associated with syncing project updates across different platforms.
• Increase reliability and accuracy in tracking the progress of game development.

Getint’s flexibility and hands-on support helped Play’n GO implement an efficient integration that serves their business needs.

What is Jira?

Jira is a popular project management and issue tracking software developed by Atlassian, widely used in software development and agile project management. It helps teams plan, track, and manage work by providing customizable workflows, advanced reporting tools, and integration capabilities with other tools. 

What is ShotGrid?

ShotGrid (now known as Flow Production Tracking, Autodesk) is a project management tool specifically designed for creative teams in industries such as film, television, and gaming. It is used to track production tasks, manage assets, and facilitate collaboration across departments like animation, art, and visual effects.