Calculating start date from due date and original estimate?

[Bernadett Sándor]

Dear Team,

For some task I know the due date (e.g. presentation or meeting date) and question is if it would be possible to calcualte start date if I know the estimated time needed for the task?

E.g.: due date is 16.07.2025 and original estimate is 3w (weeks) -- can I make it calculate or show start date based on that? Or how could I easily set it (without knowing exact start date but a time needed for the work)?

Maybe there is no such option.

Thank you, Bernadett

[Chitra Nagdeo]

Hi @Bernadett Sándor ,

Thank you for reaching Atlassian Community!

Using Jira Automation you can calculate Start date when you have value for Due date and Original Estimate populated on a Jira workitem.

Please follow steps from article Automate start date calculation in Jira with due date and original estimate

I hope this helps to answer the query!

Thanks and Regards

Chitra Nagdeo

Atlassian Cloud Support
ATLASSIAN

[Bernadett Sándor]

Dear Chitra!

Thank you - I haven't tried any Automation since I am quite new in the designing and in the Community but I am ready to set some. Best occasion is soon.

[Chitra Nagdeo]

Hey @Bernadett Sándor ,

Please explore and try to configure the rule, should you face any error do post the same here and I can assist you.

If it will need further analysis it can be analysed by a support ticket.

Regards

Chitra Nagdeo

Atlassian Cloud Support
ATLASSIAN

[Bill Sheboy]

Hi @Bernadett Sándor 

That knowledgebase article is missing guidance that you may want to add to a rule...

What if the calculated Start Date is in the past when the estimate is subtracted from the "Due Date"?  This is a common problem with automated, backward-planning scenarios.

With that KB article, I recommend not editing the Start Date until first performing a conditional check to send a notification warning of the problem.  Or, make the edit and then send the warning to the team members. 

Either approach will prevent requestors "gaming the system" to retroactively force earlier scheduling of work and magically making delivery behind schedule!  Or perhaps, driving the "Due Date" (or want by date) from the available Start Date plus the forecast may be better.

Kind regards,
Bill

[Chitra Nagdeo]

Hey @Bernadett Sándor ,

Considering scenario from @Bill Sheboy you may Schedule the Automation rule once or Manually trigger the Automation rule and use below JQL to fetch issues where StartDate is empty and Original Estimate and DueDate are not Empty

"Start date[Date]" is EMPTY and originalEstimate IS NOT EMPTY and duedate IS NOT EMPTY

 Refer screenshots attached below

Thanks and Regards

Chitra Nagdeo

Atlassian Cloud Support
ATLASSIAN

[Tomislav Tobijas]

Hi @Bernadett Sándor ,

On top of what Chitra said, I'd recommend checking official lessons and learning materials on Atlassian Learning.

Related to Jira automation specifically, I believe this lesson can quickly onboard you into the automation world. You can also explore other lessons and learning paths in the Learning catalog. 📚📽️

Cheers and good luck,
Tobi

[Bernadett Sándor]

Yes, this comes as next because rule is set but I do not know how to add it to task. I am a person of "learning by struggling" but it works.

[Chitra Nagdeo]

An Automation rule consist of Trigger and Component. Based on the trigger defined when the trigger condition is met the rule will execute and take action for the Jira workitem. Refer Jira automation triggers