Why doesn't Parent Link Value work in Related Issues JQL Condition

[Jeff Gordon]

I have an automation rule that should transition an Epic's parent Initiative when the Epic transitions and the parent Initiative hasn't already transitioned out of its initial status (New).

The conditions are shown below followed by the output I am getting.  I don't understand how the Parent Link value is there when using the log action but not when using it in a related issue JQL condition.  I must be missing something here...

[Jeff Gordon · Accepted solution]

Thanks Bill (once again!)

I tried a number of things and was able to resolve it with the following

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Jeff Gordon 

First thing, I am using Jira Cloud and not Data Center version, so my suggestions are based on what I know about automation rules.  Please test accordingly with your site.  With that out of the way...

The error in the audit log is from the first branch shown on key = {{issue.Parent Link}} and not on the later, second condition you have highlighted.  This can be determined as the error does not show the test on "and status = New" which is shown in the highlighted, second condition.

Regardless of that, automation rules return the default attribute for structured smart values when only the top-level is specified.  For example, {{issue}} resolves to {{issue.key}} in some cases.  In other cases, those do not resolve in every rule action / usage.

I wonder if {{issue.Parent Link}} resolves to {{issue.Parent Link.key}} in the write to the audit log action for output but does not in the branch on JQL.  The way to test that is to change to this for the JQL:

key = {{issue.Parent Link.key}}

Kind regards,
Bill