Is there a way to have Target Start and Target End dates update automatically?

[Michael Lundskog]

Working with a lot of moving parts with different teams often something will get delayed. So is there a way to have dates update automatically if Epics or Tasks are dependent on another one to be completed? Example of it. If Epic #2 is dependent on Epic #1 to be completed but Epic #1 is delayed a week, by updating Epic #1 Target End date, can it auto update all other Epics #2 and on for the week delay to prevent the manual updating of each other subsequent line of work?

If so, how is it done?

[Pallavi Shirodkar · Accepted solution]

Hi @Michael Lundskog 

You can achieve this using the Automation rules in Jira.

Make use of Jira Automation Rules
Custom automation rules can be created to adjust dates in response to a delayed dependence.

An example of automation logic is as follows: Trigger: Field value changed Epic #1's target end date

Condition: If there are problems related to "blocks" in Epic #1

Action: Using the updated dates, update the Target Start and End of related issues (such as Epic #2).

[Michael Lundskog]

Thank you for your help.

[Laszlo Gal]

My company uses Jira Server v9.12.16. I cannot find Automation in the Project Setup for a project I am admin on. Is this a feature that needs extra licensing or central administration needs to turn it on/off?

[Katherine Rankin]

Yes, you can automate date updates for dependent work in Jira. Use the "Advanced Roadmaps" feature (formerly Portfolio) which allows you to set dependencies between epics/tasks and will automatically adjust dates when a predecessor is delayed.

To set this up:

1. Create dependencies between issues using the "blocks" or "is blocked by" link types
2. Configure your plan in Advanced Roadmaps to respect these dependencies
3. When you update a date on a blocking issue, dependent issues will automatically reschedule

This requires Jira Premium or Enterprise, or the Advanced Roadmaps add-on for Jira Software.