Configuring workflow schemes

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A workflow scheme defines a set of associations – or mappings – between a workflow and an issue type. Workflow schemes are associated with a project and make it possible to use a different workflow for every combination of project and issue type.

By default, projects use Jira's system workflow. The default workflow scheme:

  • Associates Jira's system workflow Jira with all issue types (available to the Jira project).
  • Appears as the default workflow scheme for your selected project type.

In addition, you can share an existing project's workflow scheme when you are creating a new project by selecting Create with shared configuration in the Project Creation Wizard. This allows you to reuse your existing schemes without having to recreate them for new projects. Keep in mind that changing shared workflow schemes will affect all projects that are using that theme.

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This page describes how to configure workflows and issue type workflow associations in the scheme.

(info) To associate a workflow scheme with a project (part of activating a workflow), see Managing your workflows.

For all of the following procedures, you must be logged in as a user with the Jira Administrators global permission.

Adding a workflow scheme

  1. Choose Administration () > Issues. Select Workflow Schemes to open the Workflow Schemes page.
  2. Click the Add Workflow Scheme button.
  3. Enter the name and description of the new workflow scheme.
  4. Click the Add button. The new workflow scheme is created.
  5. Follow the instructions in Configuring workflows for a workflow scheme below.

Configuring workflows for a workflow scheme

If your scheme is associated with a project, follow the instructions in Configuring a workflow scheme associated with a project. Otherwise, follow the instructions in Configuring a workflow scheme outside of a project.

Configuring a workflow scheme associated with a project

Jira's default workflow scheme cannot be modified. If you attempt to modify it, a copy of the scheme is created with the name of the project you are administering. You cannot configure a workflow scheme shared by multiple projects using this method; follow the instructions in Configuring a workflow scheme outside of a project instead.

  1. Choose Administration () > Projects.
  2. Select a project from the displayed list.
  3. Click Workflows on the left of the Project Summary page. The Workflows page is displayed, indicating the current workflow scheme used by the project. Configure the workflow scheme using the table below. 

  4. At the Publish Workflows screen, click Associate to begin the migration process. Each issue has to be in a valid status. The valid statuses for an issue are defined by its workflow. This means that when changing a workflow, you may need to tell Jira the status for specific issues after the change.

  5. A screen displays that indicates the progress of migrating all the project's issues to the updated scheme's workflows.

  6. Click Acknowledge to finish the process. A message displays letting you know that 'your workflows have been published.'

Configure the issue types for the workflow scheme as desired. This is not the same as editing the workflow (clicking the Edit button in the workflow diagram at the center of your screen). If you do that, you will be asked to publish your draft workflow scheme.

What do you want to do?

Instructions
Add a workflow to the scheme
  1. Click Add Workflow, and select Import From Bundle or Add Existing. After selecting Import From Bundle, you can select a workflow From Atlassian Marketplace. See Sharing your workflow for more information.
  2. Select the desired workflow and issue types.
Edit a workflow

Hover over the desired workflow and click the Edit button. See Working with workflows for further instructions. The Edit button only displays if you have the edit permission.

Remove a workflow from the schemeClick the cross icon under Operations to remove the workflow from the scheme.
Change the issue types associated with a workflow1. Click the Assign link under Issue Types for the desired workflow.
2. Select the desired issue types in the dialog that appears.
3. Click Finish.
View the text-based representation of a workflowHover over the desired workflow, and click the View as Text link. 
Change the workflow scheme associated with the projectClick the Switch Scheme button next to the scheme name. See Managing your workflows for further instructions.

Configuring a workflow scheme outside of a project

You can use this procedure to edit any workflow scheme in the system, including those shared by multiple projects. The workflow scheme can be either active or inactive.

  • If your workflow scheme is associated with a project, you may want to follow the instructions above instead. When a workflow scheme is used by more than one project, you must use this configuration method.
  • When a workflow scheme is active, it creates a draft workflow scheme when you edit it.
  1. Choose Administration () > Issues. Select Workflow Schemes to open the Workflow Schemes page. 
  2. Click the Edit link under the Operations column for the desired workflow.

  3. Edit your workflow scheme, as described in the table below.

  4. If your workflow is active, you need to publish it to make your changes active.

What do you want to do?Instructions
Add a workflow to the scheme
  1. Click Add Workflow, and select Import From Bundle or Add Existing. After selecting Import From Bundle, you can select a workflow From Atlassian Marketplace. See Sharing your workflow for more information.
  2. Select the desired workflow and issue types.
Remove a workflow from the schemeClick the Remove link in the Operations column.
Change the issue types associated with a workflow1. Click the Assign link under Issue Types for the desired workflow.
2. Select the desired issue types in the dialog that appears.
3. Click Finish.
View a representation of a workflowClick either the text or diagram link next to the Workflow name.
Remove an issue type from the schemeClick the x next to the name of the issue type to remove it.

Editing, copying, and deleting workflow schemes

Choose Administration () > Issues. Select Workflow Schemes to open the Workflow Schemes page. 

OperationInstructions
Edit the name and description of a workflow schemeClick the Edit link. Use inline edit mode – click in the associated field – to update the name and description.
Copy a workflow schemeClick the Copy link to create a workflow scheme with the prefix "Copy of (name of current workflow)" and placed in the inactive workflow schemes.
Delete a workflow scheme

Click the Delete link and confirm the deletion. You cannot delete an active workflow scheme. You must first disassociate it from all projects.

Last modified on Oct 14, 2022

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