IT Service Management (ITSM) is traditionally associated with complex systems, workflows, and tools tailored for incident response, change control, and service delivery. But not every team needs—or wants—a full enterprise-scale platform to get started. For smaller teams or those looking for a lightweight, visual solution to manage service requests and incidents, Trello can be a practical option.

While Trello wasn’t built specifically for ITSM, its flexible structure makes it well-suited for organizing and tracking IT tasks, tickets, and workflows. With the right board setup and some thoughtful configuration, Trello can help IT teams deliver consistent, responsive support.

Why Use Trello for ITSM?

Trello offers a simple and visual way to manage work. Its core structure—boards, lists, and cards—translates easily to the kinds of workflows common in ITSM. Think incident queues, change requests, service requests, and problem records. Each can be captured in a card and tracked through a lifecycle using lists.

Unlike rigid ITSM platforms, Trello allows teams to customize their approach. For organizations with small IT teams, limited budgets, or minimal ticket volumes, this can be a manageable way to maintain order without excessive overhead.

Key Use Cases for IT Teams

Let’s look at how Trello can fit into several core ITSM practices:

1. Incident Management

Incidents—unplanned interruptions or degradations of service—can be tracked using a dedicated board. Lists can reflect the different stages of the incident lifecycle, such as:

• New

• Triage

• In Progress

• Waiting on User

• Resolved

• Closed

Each card becomes a mini case file. Comments log communication, attachments house logs or screenshots, and custom fields (via the Custom Fields Power-Up) can track incident categories, priorities, or affected systems.

For recurring issues, linking related incident cards or tagging them with labels helps identify patterns and initiate problem management.

2. Service Requests

These are routine user requests—password resets, software installs, access permissions—that can follow a more predictable process.

Use labels or custom fields to categorize request types. Automations can route tasks to the appropriate team member or move them through predefined steps. Trello forms (using integrations like Typeform or Trello’s own form-based Power-Ups) make it easy for users to submit requests without needing to create a Trello account.

3. Change Management

For change tracking, Trello’s checklist feature and due dates come in handy. A “Change Management” board might have lists like:

• Proposed Changes

• In Review

• Approved

• Scheduled

• Completed

• Rejected

Each change request card can include scope, risk assessment, impacted systems, rollback steps, and approvals. Add Power-Ups like Calendar to get a timeline view of scheduled changes.

This visual representation helps teams avoid scheduling conflicts and gives visibility into what’s happening and when.

4. Problem Management

When recurring incidents point to underlying problems, teams can track root cause investigations and permanent fixes in a dedicated Trello board or as a separate list within the incident board.

Include details like:

• Linked incidents

• Root cause summary

• Workaround (if any)

• Proposed resolution

• Status updates

Use Trello’s attachment or checklist features to document diagnostics or post-incident reviews.

Setting Up Trello for ITSM: A Step-by-Step Example

Here’s a sample layout to get your team started with a general ITSM board:

Lists to Include:

1. Inbox / New Requests
   All new tickets land here, either manually created or via form integrations.

2. Triage
   The team reviews incoming items, assigns owners, and adds initial notes or tags.

3. In Progress
   Work is actively underway.

4. Pending External / Waiting on User
   Waiting for a vendor, end-user, or another department.

5. Resolved
   Issue is fixed; waiting for user confirmation.

6. Closed
   Ticket is formally closed after resolution.

7. Backlog / Known Issues
   Tracks recurring problems, potential enhancements, or deferred work.

Organizing Cards for ITSM

Each card should include consistent elements. A suggested template might include:

• Title: Clear summary of the request or issue

• Description: Details about the request or problem, including user impact

• Labels: For priority, type (incident, request, change), system affected

• Checklist: Tasks to complete the ticket (diagnosis, fix, follow-up)

• Attachments: Screenshots, logs, user reports

• Due Date: Based on priority or SLA

• Custom Fields: Assigned technician, asset ID, urgency/impact scores

Comments can be used to capture time-stamped progress notes or communicate with teammates.

Automating ITSM Workflows with Butler

Trello’s built-in automation tool, Butler, is useful for removing repetitive tasks. Here are a few examples specific to ITSM:

• Auto-assign team members when a card with a specific label is added

• Move cards automatically from “Inbox” to “Triage” after 1 hour

• Set due dates based on priority fields

• Archive resolved tickets after 7 days in the “Closed” list

These small tweaks can help teams stay consistent and reduce manual oversight.

Integrating with Other Tools

To get more from Trello in an ITSM setup, consider connecting it with tools your team already uses:

• Slack or Microsoft Teams: Send updates to shared channels when cards are moved or updated

• Email-to-Board: Create tickets via email automatically

• Google Drive / Dropbox: Attach logs and supporting documents

• Calendars: View upcoming change windows or deadlines

• Trello Forms: Collect user requests without needing a Trello login

These integrations can make Trello a functional part of your IT team’s daily toolkit.

Benefits for Smaller IT Teams

Trello isn’t a replacement for enterprise-grade ITSM tools like Jira Service Management, ServiceNow, or BMC Remedy. However, it fits well for certain teams:

• Small IT departments that want a simpler way to track support work

• Internal help desks supporting specific departments (e.g., HR, Facilities)

• Project teams managing infrastructure or software deployments

• Startups without the need for rigid ITIL workflows but still needing task visibility and ownership

The balance of simplicity and flexibility makes Trello a viable option for lightweight ITSM needs.

Limitations to Consider

Trello’s flexibility is one of its strengths, but it also means there are limitations compared to dedicated ITSM systems:

• No built-in SLA tracking (though this can be approximated with due dates and Butler)

• No native reporting dashboards—you’ll need third-party tools or manual exports

• No audit trail of changes to card content

• Not ideal for handling high ticket volume or complex routing logic

Teams using Trello for ITSM should regularly review whether their board setup still meets their needs. If the team grows or complexity increases, transitioning to a more robust system like Jira Service Management might be the next step.

Final Thoughts

Trello offers an approachable and adaptable option for teams looking to organize IT support and service workflows without a steep learning curve. While it’s not built specifically for ITSM, its flexibility, integrations, and visual layout make it a practical choice for smaller teams or those getting started with structured IT processes.

As long as the scope is reasonable, and expectations are clearly set, Trello can help teams maintain visibility, accountability, and consistency in their service management work.

📧 Contact us at sales@clovity.com or visit 🌐 atlassian.clovity.com to get started today.