Creating subtasks within epics in the work item panel

[#1]

Hello Jira Community,

We're making an important update to how subtasks are created within epics.

In work item view, you can no longer create subtasks within epics via the subtask panel. Instead, all existing subtasks will be merged into the work item panel, alongside other child work items. New work items can still be created, but only one level down in the hierarchy.

Why are we making this change?

This change aligns with Jira’s work hierarchy and resolves exisiting inconsistencies. Creating subtasks within epics and initiatives has led to:

• Bad hierarchy data – Causing compatibility problems with other products and features.
• Confusing user experience – Some users expect to create subtasks under epics/initiatives, but can’t unless the subtasks panel is already available.
• Experience limitations – We want to streamline work structures and make sure subtasks only exist under base-level work items.

What do you need to do?

Nothing. If you have existing subtasks under an epic we’ll merge the tables.

If you need to track smaller tasks within an epic, here’s a couple of options:

• Create work items one level down – You can still create stories, tasks, or bugs under epics.

• Use “Action items” – If you want to track small tasks within an epic, use the “Action item” feature by selecting the checkbox in the editor or typing /action item.

Thank you,

Ahmud
Jira PM-Work Item Experience 

[Tomislav Tobijas]

Hi @Ahmud Auleear ,

It's been a while since you couldn't create Sub-tasks directly under Epics. But, you could do so within upper levels of the hierarchy (e.g. level 2 or 3).

Does this change mean that you won't be able to create Sub-tasks under levels 2 and 3 anymore? 👀

We're just exploring one solution which uses this approach so I'm asking as we'll need to move away from that solution option then.

Cheers,
Tobi

[Dave Mathijs]

Hi @Ahmud Auleear Logical decision, respect the work item hierarchy and keep it standardized.

[Ahmud Auleear]

Hey @Tomislav Tobijas 

In Jira, we are moving towards the direction that you can create child issues only one level down from a parent issue. For example this could look like:​

1. Epics: The highest level, representing large bodies of work.​

2. Standard Issue Types (e.g., Stories, Tasks, Bugs): These are the immediate children of Epics.​

3. Sub-tasks: These can be created under standard issue types but not under Epics.

[Tomislav Tobijas]

Hi @Ahmud Auleear ,

Yeah, I get that. But, let's move away from Epics for the moment and look at the upper hierarchy levels; e.g. example below:

Currently, you can create Sub-tasks below Deliverables, Initiatives and Themes. With this update, I'm guessing that won't be possible as well.

I'm definitely up for it > to have a cleaner and more consistent hierarchy together with better data reports, I'm just asking as it's been a while since you couldn't create Sub-tasks under Epics (at least not directly) so I'm guessing this update will do the same just for upper levels. 

Cheers,
Tobi