Free Method for Modifying JIRA Field Values Beyond Automation

[Ayush Pathak]

Is there a free method in JIRA, beyond automation rules, where I can modify the value of one field based on another field, possibly from an external source outside of JIRA Software

[Mikel Garcia Bartolome · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, Jira itself doesn't offer a free built-in method to modify a field value based on another field from an external source without automation rules. However, there are a few options you can consider:

• Automation for Jira (paid app)

This is the most straightforward solution. The Automation for Jira app allows you to create rules that trigger actions based on specific conditions. You can configure a rule to update a field based on the value of another field or data received from an external source via webhooks or APIs.

• ScriptRunner (paid app)

ScriptRunner allows you to write custom scripts (Groovy or JavaScript) to automate tasks in Jira. You can create a script that listens for issue events (like issue creation or field update) and modifies another field based on the updated value or by fetching data from an external source using the script's capabilities.

• Custom Integrations

If you have some development expertise, you can develop a custom integration between Jira and your external source. This could involve building a script or application that monitors the external source for changes and triggers an update in Jira using its REST API.

• Workflows (limited functionality)

While not ideal for complex logic, Jira workflows offer limited field manipulation capabilities. You can configure post-function conditions in a workflow transition to update a field based on the value of another field selected during the transition. However, this won't work for data from an external source.

Free Alternatives (Limited Functionality)

• Basic Workflows: As mentioned above, workflows offer limited field manipulation within Jira itself.
• Manual Updates: While not automated, you can create a JQL filter to identify issues where the desired field needs updating based on another field's value. Then, you can manually update the target field for those issues.

Choosing the right approach depends on your specific needs and technical expertise. If you need a simple solution and don't mind paid apps, Automation for Jira is a good choice. For more complex scenarios or integrations with external sources, ScriptRunner or custom integrations might be necessary.

[Ayush Pathak]

Thanks for your response.

[Ayush Pathak]

Could you please elaborate step by step how can I proceed with Custom Integrations?

[Mikel Garcia Bartolome]

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how you can proceed with custom integrations to modify a field value in Jira based on an external source:

  1. Define Requirements

• External Source: Identify the external source of data (e.g., database, CRM system, another application).
• Data Exchange: Determine how data will be exchanged between the external source and Jira. Is there an API available? Does it use webhooks for pushing updates?
• Field Mapping: Specify which field(s) in the external source correspond to the field(s) you want to update in Jira.
• Triggering Mechanism: Decide how the update will be triggered. Will it be based on changes in the external source, specific events in Jira (like issue creation), or a scheduled job?

  2. Choose Development Approach

There are two main approaches to building the custom integration:

• Scripting Language: You can write a script (e.g., Python, Java) that interacts with both the external source and Jira APIs.
• Development Framework: Consider using a framework like Apache Camel or MuleSoft that simplifies integration development by providing pre-built connectors and functionalities.

 3. Development Steps

• Establish Connections: Write code to connect to both the external source and Jira APIs using their respective libraries or frameworks.
• Data Fetching: Implement logic to retrieve data from the external source based on your defined mapping.
• Data Processing: Depending on your needs, you might need to process or transform the retrieved data before updating Jira.
• Field Update: Use the Jira REST API to update the target field(s) in Jira with the retrieved or processed data.
• Trigger Implementation: Create a mechanism to trigger the update process. This could involve setting up a scheduled task, monitoring the external source for changes (if it supports webhooks), or integrating with Jira webhooks for specific events.

  4. Testing and Deployment

• Thorough Testing: Test the integration extensively to ensure data is fetched and updated correctly under various scenarios.
• Deployment: Deploy the integration script or application to a server or platform where it can run reliably.
• Monitoring: Set up monitoring to track the integration's performance and identify any errors.

Important Considerations:

• Security: Ensure proper authentication and authorization mechanisms are in place when interacting with both the external source and Jira APIs.
• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to gracefully manage potential issues during data retrieval or updates.
• Scalability: If you anticipate a high volume of data or frequent updates, design the integration to handle it efficiently.

Additional Resources

Jira REST API Documentation
Apache Camel
MuleSoft

Remember: Building a custom integration requires technical expertise and understanding of APIs and scripting languages. If this is outside your comfort zone, consider exploring paid options like Automation for Jira or consulting a developer for assistance.