Right JQL for SLA

[Mar]

How can I get the right JQL for "time resolution" = empty?

example

project = Project  
AND
"time to resolution" = EMPTY

here the error:

"JQL ERROR Missing duration argument (example of valid durations : "5h", "1h 35m", "120m")"

[Kinga_Getint]

Hey @Mar Angelo 

Unfortunately, there’s no direct JQL function for “SLA not started.”

However, you can work around it depending on your SLA definition:

• Option 1: Filter by status or trigger condition

If your SLA starts when status changes to In Progress, you can use:

project = ABC AND status = "Open"
(or whatever status precedes the SLA trigger)

That effectively shows issues where the SLA hasn’t started.

• Option 2: Check SLA field absence via reporting

In the SLA reports, the “No data” category under Time to resolution means the SLA hasn’t started. It can’t be queried directly in JQL, but you can visualize it in SLA dashboards.

• Option 3: Use automation or a custom field flag

Create an automation rule:

When issue created → if SLA hasn’t started after X minutes → set a label or custom field.
Then you can query for those issues easily with normal JQL. 

So in short, it’s not possible via JQL alone, but you can approximate it with workflow or automation conditions.

[Christos Markoulatos]

Hi @Mar Angelo 

Υou can’t use = EMPTY with SLA fields. SLA fields like “Time to resolution” only support the special SLA functions (e.g., running(), paused(), completed(), breached(), remaining(), elapsed()), not the usual EMPTY/NULL checks.

try

project = ABC
AND "Time to resolution" != running()
AND "Time to resolution" != paused()
AND "Time to resolution" != completed()

Write JQL queries for SLAs | Jira Service Management Cloud | Atlassian Support

Hope this helps!

[Mar]

no solution to get the list of data where SLA not yet started?