---
title: "SLA Metrics"
description: "Configure and use SLA metrics for Jira issues — cycle time, lead time, time-in-status, and more"
---

MCP Atlassian can calculate SLA metrics for Jira issues using the `jira_get_issue_sla` and `jira_get_issue_dates` tools. This guide covers configuration and usage.

## Available Metrics

| Metric | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `cycle_time` | Time from first "In Progress" to resolution |
| `lead_time` | Time from creation to resolution |
| `time_in_status` | Breakdown of time spent in each status |
| `due_date_compliance` | Whether issues were resolved before their due date |
| `resolution_time` | Total time from creation to resolution |
| `first_response_time` | Time from creation to first comment or status change |

## Configuration

Configure SLA calculation via environment variables:

### Metrics Selection

Choose which metrics to calculate (comma-separated):

```bash
JIRA_SLA_METRICS=cycle_time,time_in_status
```

Default: `cycle_time,time_in_status`

### Working Hours

Enable business-hours-only calculation:

```bash
# Enable working hours filtering
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_HOURS_ONLY=true

# Define business hours (24-hour format)
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_HOURS_START=09:00
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_HOURS_END=17:00

# Working days (1=Monday, 7=Sunday)
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_DAYS=1,2,3,4,5
```

### Timezone

Set the timezone for SLA calculations:

```bash
JIRA_SLA_TIMEZONE=America/New_York
```

Uses IANA timezone identifiers. Default: `UTC`

**Common timezones:**
| Timezone | Identifier |
|----------|------------|
| US Eastern | `America/New_York` |
| US Pacific | `America/Los_Angeles` |
| UK | `Europe/London` |
| Central Europe | `Europe/Berlin` |
| Japan | `Asia/Tokyo` |
| Australia Eastern | `Australia/Sydney` |

## Usage

### Get SLA Metrics for an Issue

```json
jira_get_issue_sla: {
  "issue_key": "PROJ-123",
  "metrics": "cycle_time,time_in_status,lead_time"
}
```

### Get Key Dates

```json
jira_get_issue_dates: {
  "issue_key": "PROJ-123"
}
```

Returns creation date, resolution date, due date, and status transition timestamps.

### Get Development Info

Track linked branches, commits, and PRs:

```json
jira_get_issue_development_info: {
  "issue_key": "PROJ-123"
}
```

### Batch Development Info

Get development info for multiple issues:

```json
jira_get_issues_development_info: {
  "issue_keys": "PROJ-1,PROJ-2,PROJ-3"
}
```

## Example Configuration

A typical production SLA configuration:

```bash
# Calculate cycle time and time-in-status
JIRA_SLA_METRICS=cycle_time,time_in_status,lead_time

# Count only business hours
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_HOURS_ONLY=true
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_HOURS_START=09:00
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_HOURS_END=17:00
JIRA_SLA_WORKING_DAYS=1,2,3,4,5

# US Eastern timezone
JIRA_SLA_TIMEZONE=America/New_York
```

<Tip>
Start with `cycle_time` and `time_in_status` — these are the most commonly useful metrics for sprint retrospectives and process improvement.
</Tip>

<Warning>
SLA calculations use issue changelog data. For accurate metrics, ensure issues follow consistent status transitions in your workflow.
</Warning>
