How do I associate a default workflow to a project that already has a workflow?

[Maureen Jwenge]

I have a project that already has a workflow, however, the workflow doesn't cover all statuses of an issue. I want to change to the default workflow, but the existing workflow has fewer statuses than the default workflow. When I get to the page where I associate the project to the new workflow, it just gives the existing statuses which makes it difficult for me to change.

[Noel John · Accepted solution]

Hi @Maureen Jwenge , 

you are getting few options because your new workflow contains few of the existing status from your old workflow so automatic mapping will happen. since JIRA cannot find which option to choose for "To-do" and "Done", it is asking for mapping.

Since you are not confident with outcome and the project is live, I suggest to do below.

1) create a new dummy project (or create a new issue type on the same live project) and use the same existing workflow.

2) create a few dummy issues with all the possible status.

3) map the new workflow to that issue type on new project (if using the current project then map it to the newly created issue type)

4) Now you will see the same mapping . Choose open for to-do and closed for done and publish. check the result and if you are satisfied then map the new workflow to the current project or the issue types on which you expect the new workflow.

Hope this helps.

[Maureen Jwenge]

@Andrew I've done this and my backlog has disappeared. If I check on under issues and filters it's there, but the backlog screen shows that it's empty

[Noel John]

Hi @Maureen Jwenge ,

Go to board configuration and check whether your board columns has the new status mapped.

Also check the board filter whether it has written specific status value on the filter which exclude the new status from board

[Maureen Jwenge]

@Noel John Thank you very much, I have found it and now my backlog is visible. @Andrew & @Noel John thanks alot for your assistance, you have really helped me. 

[Noel John · Accepted solution]

JIRA will be asking the mapping so that you can do the proper mapping while changing from one workflow to another

[Maureen Jwenge]

@Noel John does this mean that I can go ahead and make the changes and it won't distort my project statuses? The project is active

[Andrew]

Hi @Maureen Jwenge ,

Could You please provide more details what difficult in change?

E.g. I want change from WF A

to B

Jira just ask mapping:

E.g. in my screen story in old 'done' will change to story in 'close' statuses (if that issue exist in status 'done').

B.R.

[Maureen Jwenge]

Hi @Andrew my current workflow looks like this:-

And I want to change to this:-

When I associate this is what it looks like:-

So my concern is that the options I am getting are fewer than the statuses I require...in this case I'm getting 2 options yet I need to change the statuses to include 3 more and I'm concerned that making the changes as they are will distort the issue statuses

[Andrew]

Ah, You would like save current status in old issues, but want just change workflow for new issues? 

Unfortunately it is not possible in box (maybe some plugins). How workaround I can offer use label for that. Use 'bulk change' to set label in issues.

E.g. filter all 'bug' and add label 'bug'.

P.S. maybe You would like change workflow only for 'task' issue type? it is possible use workflow scheme.

B.R.

[Maureen Jwenge]

Nope I want all issues(both old & new) to have the new workflow statuses