Jira Epic issues have subtasks under them along with child issues

Platform Notice: Cloud - This article applies to Atlassian products on the cloud platform.

Summary

When opening an Epic issue, we see the option to "Create child issues" and no option to "Create Subtasks". However, it is possible that Epic issue contains both child issues and subtasks under the Epic.

Environment

Jira Cloud

Diagnosis

  • The option to create a subtask is not visible on the Epic issue view. However, if the Epic already has a subtask, its possible to create more subtasks using the "+" button in the subtask sub panel

Cause

In Jira, the default hierarchy has Standard issue types under the Epic issue type ad subtask issue types under the the Standard issue type. 

For Example:

  • Epic → Story / Task / Bug
  • Story / Task / Bug → Subtask

In the issue view, we have the option to create "Child issues" under the Epic issue type and "Subtasks" under the Standard issue type. That said, if the Epic already have subtasks created under it, then it is possible to create additional subtasks under the Epic. The Epic issue can have both Standard issue types such as Story/Task under it but also subtasks

Solution

This is expected behaviour in Jira. It is possible to create subtasks under all issue types above Subtask issue type in Jira.

Possibilities of subtask creation at levels equal to or higher than Epic in Jira Cloud:
While the issue view does not directly allow the creation of subtasks in issuetypes equal to or higher than Epic level, there are ways that a user can create/attach a subtask on an Epic:

  • When the issue type was previously at a lower issue hierarchy level than Epic and a subtask was created under it. Then the button is always visible on the issue.
  • When the issue type is at a higher level than Epic, however, a CSV import was performed, and a subtask issue was imported under this issue type. In this case, a subtask is created, and the "Create subtask" button is visible on the issue.
  • When the issue type is at a higher level than Epic and the subtask was created via the Jira issue navigator in the UI. 
  • It is possible to reparent a subtask from a Story/Task to an Epic/initiative via the Jira Cloud UI. 
  • An issuetype change was performed on a child issue under an Epic or higher issuetype such that the issue was changed from standard task to subtask. 


Last modified on Aug 31, 2024

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