How to Switch to ClickUp from Trello or Jira

Moving your team from Trello or Jira to ClickUp can dramatically improve how you plan, track, and deliver work, as long as you follow a clear, structured migration process.

This how-to guide walks you through each major step, using lessons drawn from comparing Trello vs. Jira so you can set up ClickUp as a unified, flexible workspace.

Step 1: Map Your Current Workflow Before Using ClickUp

Before touching any settings in ClickUp, take time to understand how you currently manage work in Trello or Jira.

List your current tools: Boards, projects, issue types, and any add-ons or power-ups.
Identify your workflows: How tasks move from idea to done, including review or QA steps.
Note limitations: Where your current tool struggles with complexity, visibility, or reporting.

This mapping step tells you how to structure your new ClickUp Workspace, Spaces, and views so nothing important gets lost.

Step 2: Set Up Your ClickUp Workspace Structure

ClickUp lets you organize work with multiple hierarchy levels, which can replace both Trello boards and Jira projects in a more flexible way.

Choose Spaces in ClickUp

Create Spaces to group work by department, product, client, or program.

Product development
Marketing or growth
Customer success or support
Operations or internal projects

Each Space in ClickUp can hold Lists and Folders tailored to a specific team’s workflow.

Set Up Folders and Lists in ClickUp

Use Folders to group related initiatives, then Lists to represent boards or backlogs.

For Trello users: Treat each former board as a List inside a Folder.
For Jira users: Treat each project or major component as a Folder with multiple Lists for epics, sprints, or issue categories.

Align Folders and Lists with the workflow map you created earlier so your team recognizes their work right away inside ClickUp.

Step 3: Configure Tasks and Statuses in ClickUp

The core of your migration is defining how work items in Trello or Jira translate into tasks inside ClickUp.

Design Task Types and Custom Fields

ClickUp replaces many separate Jira issue types with flexible tasks and custom fields.

Create custom fields for priority, points, severity, or request type.
Mirror important labels or components as tags or dropdown fields.
Standardize naming so everyone understands how to log and read tasks.

This allows you to keep rich context without recreating every Jira configuration.

Match Statuses from Trello or Jira to ClickUp

Build status workflows in ClickUp that align with how your team already works.

Combine redundant statuses into a simple, clear flow.
Use separate status sets in different Spaces if teams work differently.
Include final states like “Done” or “Released” for consistent reporting.

A streamlined status setup in ClickUp avoids confusion and makes progress easier to track.

Step 4: Rebuild Boards and Agile Views in ClickUp

ClickUp supports multiple views over the same data, which lets you recreate Trello boards or Jira Agile boards without duplicating tasks.

Create Board Views in ClickUp

If you are coming from Trello, start with a Kanban-style Board view.

Create a Board view for each List or Folder that previously existed as a Trello board.
Group tasks by status for a traditional Kanban flow.
Add swimlanes using filters for assignee, priority, or tag.

This preserves familiar board workflows while unlocking additional views inside ClickUp.

Create Agile and Sprint Views in ClickUp

For Jira-style Agile teams, configure ClickUp to support sprints, backlog management, and release planning.

Use Lists for sprints and the backlog, or use custom fields to mark sprint IDs.
Create views grouped by sprint, assignee, or epic.
Add a Calendar or Timeline view for release dates and milestones.

With these views, ClickUp can cover both your planning and tracking needs in one place.

Step 5: Import Data into ClickUp

Once your structure is ready, bring data from Trello or Jira into ClickUp.

Prepare Data for Import

Cleaning your data before importing saves time later.

Archive outdated boards, projects, and closed items you do not need.
Standardize naming for labels, components, and priorities.
Export only what is required to keep the new ClickUp Workspace lean.

Run the Import to ClickUp

Use the built-in import tools to pull tasks, cards, and issues into the right Lists.

Choose the correct Space, Folder, and List for each import.
Map fields from Trello or Jira to ClickUp fields.
Spot-check imported tasks to confirm statuses, assignees, and dates are accurate.

If you need a reference comparison while planning, you can review Trello vs. Jira details at this external resource to see how features translate into the ClickUp ecosystem.

Step 6: Automate Repetitive Work in ClickUp

Once data is in place, use automations to remove manual, repetitive steps that slowed you down in Trello or Jira.

Design Core Automations in ClickUp

Start with a small set of high-impact rules.

Auto-assign tasks based on List or tag.
Move tasks to new statuses when a due date changes.
Notify key stakeholders when tasks enter review or blocked states.

Each automation in ClickUp should support a clear workflow goal, such as faster handoffs or better visibility.

Test and Refine Automations

Roll out automation rules gradually.

Test rules on a pilot team or project.
Collect feedback on unexpected changes or noise.
Adjust triggers, conditions, or notifications based on real usage.

This ensures ClickUp automations help your team instead of overwhelming them with alerts.

Step 7: Train Your Team to Use ClickUp Effectively

Even a perfectly configured Workspace will fail without user adoption, so invest time in training.

Run Onboarding Sessions in ClickUp

Introduce ClickUp workflows with focused sessions.

Walk through how tasks move from idea to done.
Show key views: Board, List, Calendar, and Dashboards.
Explain how to create tasks, comment, attach files, and update statuses.

Use real examples from your imported projects so training feels practical.

Document Standards for ClickUp

Clear rules keep your Workspace organized as you scale.

Define naming conventions for tasks, epics, and releases.
Set expectations for due dates, priorities, and dependencies.
Create a short playbook explaining where to create different types of work.

You can also consult implementation best practices and strategic guidance from specialists like Consultevo if you need expert help optimizing ClickUp for complex teams.

Step 8: Monitor and Improve Your ClickUp Setup

The first version of your Workspace is just a starting point. Use data and feedback to refine ClickUp over time.

Use Dashboards in ClickUp

Set up Dashboards to track key metrics and spot bottlenecks.

Cycle time or lead time across Lists and Spaces.
Workload by assignee or team.
Open bugs, blockers, or overdue tasks.

Dashboards make it easier to justify workflow changes and improvements inside ClickUp.

Iterate on Workflows

Schedule periodic reviews after you switch from Trello or Jira.

Gather feedback from team leads on what works or feels clunky.
Simplify statuses, views, or automations that cause confusion.
Introduce new features in ClickUp gradually, such as advanced reporting or goal tracking.

By improving a little at a time, your team will fully unlock the flexibility of ClickUp without constant disruption.

Final Thoughts on Migrating to ClickUp

Switching from Trello or Jira to ClickUp is more than a tool change; it is a chance to streamline processes, unify teams, and centralize work in a single, powerful platform.

By mapping your current workflows, designing a clear Workspace structure, importing thoughtfully, and training your team, you can turn ClickUp into a long-term hub for planning, collaboration, and delivery across the entire organization.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

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How to Switch to ClickUp Fast