Blocked status or Flag item
I have seen many teams introduce a "Blocked" status in their workflow, appearing as a column on the board to highlight something is blocked. I think there is a better alternative: Use the Jira Flag
What:
Highlight externally blocked items (e.g., waiting on a vendor) using Jira’s built-in flag.
Avoids creating a dedicated "Blocked" column in your workflow.
Why:
Preserves workflow clarity by showing where the blockage occurred (e.g., "Development" vs. "Testing").
Compatible with metrics tools like ActionableAgile.
How to Implement:
Right-click an issue → Select Flag (or use the Alt + S shortcut).
Add a comment explaining the external blocker.
Pro Tip:
No flag needed for internal blockers (e.g., team dependencies). These will naturally reflect in cycle time metrics.