Create Your Own Issue Management System

Create Your Own Issue Management System

Effective issue management is a cornerstone of project success. Every bug or issue, no matter how small, needs to be tracked and resolved in time to maintain project momentum. In this post, we’ll explore how an issue management system in Zoho Projects is used to manage issues in our own product management process.

Real-time Example:

During the software testing process, when the tester identifies an issue impacting the Global Web Tab feature task where the alignment breaks in certain browsers, it follows a predefined process for resolution. Here’s how the issue management system handles this end-to-end.

Submit Issues using Custom Fields

Custom fields are created within the Issue Layout, allowing testers to submit issues with key details like severity, module, browser type, and font family. In the case of the Global Web Tab alignment issue, the browser type field helps pinpoint which environment is affected.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Issue Layouts In This Process:  
Construction: Track issues like material defects or design flaws using custom fields such as location, material type, grade, etc.
Manufacturing: Track production line breakdowns or machine malfunctions issues with custom fields like product phase, machine type, location, etc.


SLAs Based on Issue Type

SLAs are configured based on the issue type, such as Support, Security, Privacy, or Performance, to set resolution deadlines. If the issue is categorized as one of these types, the SLA triggers a resolution within 24 hours. If the issue remains unresolved, it escalates through Levels 1–4.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use SLAs In This Process:
Construction: Set SLAs to resolve critical issues like safety violations or structural failures quickly.
Manufacturing: Set SLAs for issues like production line stoppages to minimize downtime.

Automate Assigning Issues

A tag is created using the feature name and is associated with the issue when it is submitted. Business rules are created using the tags as criteria to automatically assign the issue to the relevant developers, designers, managers, and project managers (PMs).
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Tags In This Process:
Construction: Automatically assign issues using the issue type as tags, such as plumbing or electrical, to the appropriate contractors or subcontractors.
Manufacturing: Use tags like machinery or production to assign issues to maintenance teams or shift managers automatically.


Bulk Update Issues

A custom view is created to track and bulk update all issues related to the feature using the tag as a criteria.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Custom Views In This Process:
Construction: Create custom views to track and update issues related to electrical work.
Manufacturing: Create custom views to track and update production-related issues.


Manage Duplicate Issues

If a duplicate issue is submitted, the developer can link it to the original issue using the is duplicate of link type for identification. A custom function is created to ensure that duplicate issues are closed only when the original issue is closed ensuring no redundancy in the issue tracking process.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Link Issues In This Process:
Construction: Link duplicate issues like multiple reports of the same electrical fault.
Manufacturing: Link duplicate maintenance issues to the original issue to ensure a single resolution.

Associate Tasks to Issues

The Global Web Tab task is associated with the issue, allowing both the development and QA teams to monitor the progress of the work item from a single place. When a tester opens the task, they can view all associated issues, and when opening an issue, they can easily track the associated task.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Task Association In This Process:
Construction: Associate tasks like Foundation to issues like Cracked Foundation for easy tracking.
Manufacturing: Associate maintenance tasks to machinery issues to track progress.

Automating Status Updates

A custom function is created to automate the update of issue statuses. when the tester updates the task status to Started Testing, the associated issue status is automatically updated to In QA Process. Similarly, when a developer resolves the issue and updates the task status to Resubmit for QA, the associated issue status is updated to To be tested. Issue Tracker Notifications are used to send notifications to all team members to keep everyone informed about such status updates.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Custom Functions In This Process:
Construction: When the Electrical Safety Check issue status is updated to Passed, the associated task, such as Wiring Installation, will automatically update its status to Inspection Complete.
Manufacturing: When the Material Shortage issue is updated to Resolved, the task status for Electrical Installation will automatically update to Work Completed.

Automate Adding Followers

Sometimes issues need further validation before they are resolved. Developers can update the issue status, such as Intentionally Done or Discuss with the PM. Business rules are created to automatically add relevant product managers (PMs) and other team members as followers with such statuses as criteria. This ensures that decisions are validated and any necessary inputs are added through comments before moving forward.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Business Rules In This Process:
Construction: Automate adding followers to validate electrical safety checks or structural issues before moving forward.
Manufacturing: Automate adding followers to validate machine repair statuses before completing maintenance tasks.

Checklist for Testers

Once the feature is reviewed and tested, the Checklist Extension is used for the associated task. The tester is required to complete a predefined checklist within the task to verify that all relevant testing scenarios have been covered. This checklist ensures that no critical testing aspects are missed.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Checklist Extension In This Process:
Construction: Use checklist to create a punch list to ensure all inspections, tests, and final verifications are completed before a task  issue is marked as completed.
Manufacturing: Create a compliance checklist to ensure product assembly and quality control steps are completed before a task  issue is marked as completed.
Note: Checklist extension can be used for both tasks and issues.


Resolve Issues

Upon resolving the issue, the developer can resolve the issue from the issue details page with the context.

Custom Notifications

Custom email templates in Issue Tracker Notifications are used to automate communication. Developers and the relevant team members are automatically notified about reopened issues. This helps prevent delays in the project.
Info
How Other Industries Can Use Email Templates In This Process:
Construction: Create customized email template and use it in issue tracker notifications for critical issues like safety violation when reopened.
Manufacturing: Create customized email template and use it in issue tracker notifications for maintenance issues when reopened.

If you have any questions, do leave a comment below or mail to us at: support@zohoprojects.com.

    Access your files securely from anywhere

        All-in-one knowledge management and training platform for your employees and customers.






                              Zoho Developer Community




                                                    • Desk Community Learning Series


                                                    • Digest


                                                    • Functions


                                                    • Meetups


                                                    • Kbase


                                                    • Resources


                                                    • Glossary


                                                    • Desk Marketplace


                                                    • MVP Corner


                                                    • Word of the Day


                                                    • Ask the Experts



                                                              • Sticky Posts

                                                              • Automation Series: Auto-create Dependent Task on Status Change

                                                                In Zoho Projects, you can automatically create and assign a dependent task when a task’s status is updated. This helps teams stay aligned, ensures reviews happen on time, and reduces manual effort. In this post, we’ll walk through an easy setup using
                                                              • Time Log Reminder

                                                                Tracking the time spent on tasks and issues is one of the most important functions of a timesheet. However, users may forget to update the time logs because they have their own goals to achieve. But, time logs must be updated at regular intervals to keep
                                                              • Introducing the Zoho Projects Learning Space

                                                                Every product has its learning curve, and sometimes having a guided path makes the learning experience smoother. With that goal, we introduce a dedicated learning space for Zoho Projects, a platform where you can explore lessons, learn at your own pace,
                                                              • Update on V2 API End-of-Life Timeline

                                                                Dear Users, Earlier this year, we shared the launch of the V3 APIs and requested users to migrate from the older V2 APIs by December 2025. We have received valuable feedback from our users and partners regarding their migration timelines. We are happy
                                                              • Automation Series: Auto-update Phase Status

                                                                Hello Folks! You can auto-update your phase's status based on status of underlying tasks using custom functions. In this series, we will showcase how to create and run custom functions, using Deluge, with ease. Follow the steps below and automate your


                                                              Manage your brands on social media



                                                                    Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                        Zoho CRM Plus Resources

                                                                          Zoho Books Resources


                                                                            Zoho Subscriptions Resources

                                                                              Zoho Projects Resources


                                                                                Zoho Sprints Resources


                                                                                  Qntrl Resources


                                                                                    Zoho Creator Resources



                                                                                        Zoho CRM Resources

                                                                                        • CRM Community Learning Series

                                                                                          CRM Community Learning Series


                                                                                        • Kaizen

                                                                                          Kaizen

                                                                                        • Functions

                                                                                          Functions

                                                                                        • Meetups

                                                                                          Meetups

                                                                                        • Kbase

                                                                                          Kbase

                                                                                        • Resources

                                                                                          Resources

                                                                                        • Digest

                                                                                          Digest

                                                                                        • CRM Marketplace

                                                                                          CRM Marketplace

                                                                                        • MVP Corner

                                                                                          MVP Corner









                                                                                            Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                                            Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                                            Get Started Now


                                                                                              Zoho Show Resources

                                                                                                Zoho Writer

                                                                                                Get Started. Write Away!

                                                                                                Writer is a powerful online word processor, designed for collaborative work.

                                                                                                  Zoho CRM コンテンツ




                                                                                                    Nederlandse Hulpbronnen


                                                                                                        ご検討中の方




                                                                                                                • Recent Topics

                                                                                                                • Automation Series: Auto-create Dependent Task on Status Change

                                                                                                                  In Zoho Projects, you can automatically create and assign a dependent task when a task’s status is updated. This helps teams stay aligned, ensures reviews happen on time, and reduces manual effort. In this post, we’ll walk through an easy setup using
                                                                                                                • Languages in Zobot

                                                                                                                  Hello, I have found a list of supported languages for the Zobot. The information specifies the languages are supported in the following 3 features: SalesIQ supports 34 different languages in the following features. Resources (Articles, FAQs, Small Talks)
                                                                                                                • Function #6: Calculate Commissions for paid invoices

                                                                                                                  Zoho Books helps you automate the process of calculating and recording commissions paid to sales persons using custom functions. We've written a script that computes the commission amount based on the percentage of commission you enter and creates an
                                                                                                                • Composite items inside of composite items; bill of materials needed

                                                                                                                  Hi Zoho and Everyone, I am evaluating whether Zoho Inventory will work for my small business. I grow and harvest herbs and spices but also get from wholesalers. I use all these items to make herbal teas, but also sell them as individual items on my Shopify store and Etsy. I discovered the composite item bundling and am wondering if I could get some assistance since there is no bill of materials: Our herbal company's best selling tea is a sleepytime tea. Sleepytime Tea can be purchased in three weights
                                                                                                                • Action required: Reauthorizing your Google account in Zoho Sign for automatic cloud backup to Google Drive

                                                                                                                  This is applicable to users who have already configured automatic cloud backup to Google Drive. Hi there! Google has mandated reauthorization of all preconfigured third-party integrations to ensure only the necessary scopes are shared as an improved security
                                                                                                                • Zoho CRM Layouts

                                                                                                                  I have customised all our modules, Leads, Contacts and deals, and within them, I have created lots of different layouts depending on the type of Lead or contact, for example. Since the new Zoho UI came out, they have all disappeared. I have gone into
                                                                                                                • WhatsApp IM in Zoho Desk always routes to Admin instead of assigned agent

                                                                                                                  Hello Zoho Experts, I connected WhatsApp IM to my Zoho Desk account. I only assigned my Customer Service (CS) agent to the WhatsApp channel, and I did NOT include Admin in this channel. However, every new WhatsApp conversation automatically gets assigned
                                                                                                                • hide resolution from help centre

                                                                                                                  to my surprise, i just found out that the resolution text is public in the helpcenter, even if 'notify customer' is off. is there a workaround to that? how do others deal with this? How zoho support does this and I don't think its used by Zoho in the first place. the resolution is meant to be private, not public
                                                                                                                • Zoho Analytics + Facebook Ads: Performance Alerts for Active Campaigns

                                                                                                                  Is it possible with integration of Zoho Analytics with Facebook Ads and set up alerts or notifications for active campaigns when performance drops? For example, triggering a notification if CTR goes below a defined threshold or if other key metrics (like
                                                                                                                • Multiple upload field CRM

                                                                                                                  I desperately need the functionality to add more than one upload field to web to contacts form. How can I do this?
                                                                                                                • Sort by age

                                                                                                                  It would be very helpful if there was a way to sort by age in the Age column. Please add this function if possible. Thanks!
                                                                                                                • Lookup Field Option Not Available in Customization

                                                                                                                  Hello, I am trying to customize different modules (e.g., Work Orders, Systems, and others), but I am unable to find the Lookup field option in the layout customization. When I go to: Setup → Customization → Modules and Fields → Add Field The Lookup field
                                                                                                                • Scheduled sending of a poll and its results

                                                                                                                  Is there a way to schedule sending a poll to all my users and have the results sent separately to the team?
                                                                                                                • Integrating Zoho Suite and apps more with Linux

                                                                                                                  I just got introduced with Zoho just couple of months ago, and I've already planned to contribute to it, even though it's not an open-source software. Still I have found it's potential to beat the tech giants and still being respective towards data privacy
                                                                                                                • Store Submitted Forms as PDF

                                                                                                                  Hi there, Is there a method to store Form submissions as a PDF in workdrive for archival? I set the form to email the submission to the user and an internal inbox but I'd really love to store the final form as PDF in workdrive automatically. I can't seem
                                                                                                                • System Components menu not available for Tablet to select language

                                                                                                                  I have attached a screenshot of my desktop, mobile, and tablet menu builder options. I am using 2 languages in my application. Language Selection is an option under the System Components part of the menu, but only for my desktop and phone(mobile). My
                                                                                                                • Separate Items & Services

                                                                                                                  Hi, please separate items and services into different categories. Thank you
                                                                                                                • CRM->INVENTORY, sync products as composite items

                                                                                                                  We have a product team working in the CRM, as it’s more convenient than using Books or Inventory—especially with features like Blueprints being available. Once a product reaches a certain stage, it needs to become visible in Inventory. To achieve this,
                                                                                                                • Add an option to disable ZIA suggestions

                                                                                                                  Currently, ZIA in Zoho Inventory automatically provides suggestions, such as sending order confirmation emails. However, there is no way to disable this feature. In our case, orders are automatically created by customers, and we’ve built a custom workflow
                                                                                                                • Peppol: Accept Bill (Belgium)

                                                                                                                  Hi, This topic might help you if you're facing the same in Belgium. We are facing an issue while accepting a supplier bill received by Peppol in Zoho Books. There is a popup with an error message: This bill acceptance could not be completed, so it was
                                                                                                                • Want to use Zoho Books in Switzerland. CHF support planned?

                                                                                                                  Hi, We're a Swiss company using other Zoho suite software and I discovered Zoho Books and other accounting SaaS when looking for an accounting tool. Do you intend to cover Switzerland and CHF based accounting anytime soon? Roy
                                                                                                                • Feature Request - Gift Cards or Gift Voucher Capability in Zoho Commerce

                                                                                                                  Hi Zoho Commerce team, I'm comming accross more and more retail businesses who sell gift cards. As there is currently no way to manage this in Zoho Commerce, it is a blocker to addoption. This is particularly popular in Europe and North America. I recently
                                                                                                                • Highlight a candidate who is "off limits"

                                                                                                                  Hello: Is there a way to highlight a candidate who is "off limits"?  I would like to have the ability to make certain candidate and / or Client records highlighted in RED or something like that.   This would be used for example when we may have placed a candidate somewhere and we want everyone in our company to quickly and easily see that they are off limits.  The same would apply when we want to put a client or former client off limits so no one recruits out of there. How can this be done? Cheers,
                                                                                                                • Closing off tasks automatically based on project status

                                                                                                                  Is there a way to close off all open tasks when a project is set as Cancelled?
                                                                                                                • [Free webinar] Understanding connections and datasources in Zoho Creator - Creator Tech Connect

                                                                                                                  Hello everyone, We’re excited to invite you to another edition of the Creator Tech Connect webinar. About Creator Tech Connect The Creator Tech Connect series is a free monthly webinar featuring in-depth technical sessions designed for developers, administrators,
                                                                                                                • Bridge the Gap Between your Service and Finance Teams

                                                                                                                  In field service, the most expensive distance isn’t the drive to a customer’s home—it’s the gap between a finished job and a paid invoice. Zoho FSM leverages the power of Zoho Invoice to handle and manage billing operations. It enables you to: Instantly
                                                                                                                • Direct URL to "View Record"

                                                                                                                  I would like to create a button (Deluge Script) to jump to the "view record" without passing by the record menu, but I can not aford to find the right url. I don't want the "view record" as a single page. I want the "view record" in the application like the picture below: Thanks in advance for your help
                                                                                                                • Live Chat for user

                                                                                                                  Hi everyone, I’m new to Zoho Creator and wanted to ask if it’s possible to add a live chat option for all logged-in portal users so they can chat internally. I’m trying to create a customer portal similar to a service desk, but for vehicle breakdowns,
                                                                                                                • SalesIQ Chat Owner to CRM Lead Owner Mapping

                                                                                                                  There is no proper mapping between the SalesIQ chat owner and the CRM lead owner. When a chat is assigned to an agent, the lead created in CRM is often assigned to a different user, forcing admins to manually change ownership every time. This creates
                                                                                                                • Product line search in quotes

                                                                                                                  Is there a way to change the search setting when you add a product line to a quote. We have created a field in products called 'Part Number' and I would like when I'm adding a product line to the quote that I can search on that field. At the moment it only searches on product description. In products I can search on the 'Part Number' field Any help welcome.
                                                                                                                • Searching for an item from within an invoice should show any item containing the string, not just those that begin with the string.

                                                                                                                  Hello, I've found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with the limited line-item seach when adding new items to an invoice. The problem is that the characters being typed are only being matched from the beginning of the item name.  This might be usable
                                                                                                                • Storage Limits

                                                                                                                  Hello, What is the storage limitations for each user on professional edition?  Thanks, Mekki
                                                                                                                • Power Pivot and Data Modeling functionality in Zoho Sheet

                                                                                                                  When will MS Excel functionalities like Power Pivot and Data Modeling functionalities be available in Zoho Sheet?
                                                                                                                • Global Search placement in the new UI

                                                                                                                  Having a hard time with the global search placement in the UI redesign. Surely I can't be the only one. Previously global search placement was perfect. A bar at the top/center of the page. Exactly where you would expect it to be. Since the new UI has
                                                                                                                • What's New - January 2026 | Zoho Backstage

                                                                                                                  Welcome to 2026! If you thought last year was big, buckle up. We’re stepping into this year with a singular focus: unimaginable growth, elite scalability, and performance benchmarks that leave the old ways of event management in the rearview mirror. As
                                                                                                                • Cliq on your mobile phone

                                                                                                                  Some of the employees in my company get their cliq on their mobile phones but it will not let them answer the call. The employee has to go to their laptop to access it. 
                                                                                                                • Bulk Delete Messages in Cliq

                                                                                                                  Isn't it possible to bulk delete messages in Cliq? I have them delivered to me as notifications from another service but most of them need to be deleted as not of value. I get dozens of them per day, and deleting them is already difficult is the "Delete"
                                                                                                                • stock movement report by each transaction for each item

                                                                                                                  Dear Sir we are using zoho inventory for foodstuff and we lack the transaction report which clearly shows movement of an item from Opening balance of the month to Goods received in, Supplier return out, Invoice out, Sales return In, Transfer out and Transfer
                                                                                                                • Unable to change Company Logo

                                                                                                                  Hi Guys, I have an issue where I've uploaded a Company image in Gif format and the logo has now got a black background whereas the logo is supposed to be black not the background. I didn't think it would be an issue so I created a PNG version to upload
                                                                                                                • Metadata API Access to Functions

                                                                                                                  I think it would be incredibly helpful to have api access to every function's code. Our team primarily uses deluge functions to update fields across modules according to business logic. I would like to create a visual dependancy model for our CRM, but
                                                                                                                • Next Page