Configuring sub-tasks
As a Jira administrator, you can create sub-task issue types to split up larger pieces of work into tasks that can be assigned and tracked separately by your teams. Sub-tasks are enabled by default; however, you can choose to disable them if your teams only need to work with standard issue types. You can also create workflow conditions to ensure that all sub-tasks are completed before a parent issue can be resolved.
How to enable or disable sub-task issue types
Sub-tasks are enabled by default. Note that you can't disable sub-tasks if one or more sub-tasks have already been created in one of your Jira applications. You can convert these sub-tasks to standard issue types if you would like to disable them.
- Select
> Issues. - Under ISSUE TYPES, select Sub-tasks.
- Click Enable or Disable sub-tasks as needed.
How to create a sub-task issue type
- Select > Issues.
- Under ISSUE TYPES, select Sub-tasks.
- Click Add sub-task issue type.
- Enter a name and description to define the new sub-task issue type.
- Click Add.
How to edit a sub-task issue type
- Select > Issues.
- Click Sub-tasks.
- Find the relevant sub-task issue type and click Edit.
- Edit the name, description, and avatar as needed and click Update.
How to block a parent issue workflow based on a sub-task status
You can create a custom workflow with the Sub-task Blocking Condition on the workflow transitions you want to block based on a sub-task's status. This type of condition can prevent a parent issue from being resolved until all of its sub-tasks are resolved.
- Select > Issues.
- Click Workflows.
- Find the relevant workflow and click Edit.
- Select a transition (e.g. Resolve) and click Conditions.
- Click Add condition.
- Select the Sub-task Blocking Condition and click Add.
- Select the sub-task statuses (e.g. Done, Resolved) and click Add.
How to delete a sub-task issue type
Before deleting a sub-task issue type, we recommend searching for all issues of that type and bulk editing them to select another existing issue type. You can then delete the original sub-task issue type without affecting existing work.
- Select > Issues.
- Under ISSUE TYPES, select Sub-tasks.
- Find the relevant sub-task issue type and click Delete.