How to automate updating of effort estimate within Jira

[Cole Gladfelter]

At our company we currently utilize three separate fields to track the progress of particular tickets

1. Original estimate - this is  edited after we conduct our sprint planning and dev discovery on the tickets in question. The field is not touched after initial time designation
2. Time Tracking - This field is where the developers are logging the amount of time spent on the ticket.
3. Effort Estimate - This field is used by developers to identify how much more time is expected to complete the task. it is updated periodically.

Is there a way to automate how the effort estimate (3) is updated? In a way which logged time is deducted from the original estimate?

Example:

Original estimate - 10h

 Time tracking - 6h

Effort estimate would then be automated by using the formula (Original estimate)-(Time tracking)=4h

Would be nice if this is done automatically instead of manually. 

Thanks!

[Gracjan Wesołowski _HeroCoders_]

Hi @Cole Gladfelter 

Welcome to the community!

You might consider using time-tracking apps that, in most cases, have such an option built in.

I can recommend our Clockwork Automated Time Tracking & Timesheets Pro or the Free app, which offers you the possibility to calculate remaining time based on the original estimate and time spent. You can also display that in the report. Please see an example below:

If you have any questions you can contact us via our help center.

Cheers!

Gracjan

[Caio Covos]

Hi @Cole Gladfelter

To automate the update of the “Effort Estimate” field in Jira based on the values of “Original Estimate” and “Time Tracking”, you can use Jira Automation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to set up an automation rule that updates the “Effort Estimate” field using the formula (Original Estimate) - (Time Tracking).

 Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Automation

 1. Navigate to Automation Rules:

• Go to Project Settings.

• Click on Automation.

2. Create a New Automation Rule:

• Click on Create rule.

3. Set the Trigger:

• Choose Field value changed.

• Set the field to Time Tracking (or Log Work if you are tracking time via work logs).

• Save the trigger.

4. Add a Condition:

• Click on New condition.

• Choose Issue fields condition.

• Set the condition to check that Original Estimate and Time Tracking fields are not empty.

• Save the condition.

5. Add a Branch for “For Current Issue”:

• Click on New branch.

• Select For Current Issue.

6. Add the Action to Update the “Effort Estimate” Field:

• Click on New action.

• Select Edit issue.

• Choose the Effort Estimate field.

• Set the value using the smart values:

{{issue.originalEstimateSeconds}} - {{issue.timeSpentSeconds}}

[Cole Gladfelter]

Hello @Caio Covos !

I really appreciate your response! However, I'm running into an issue on step 4 as I'm unable to select either original estimate or time tracking from the "field" drop down menu. Any thoughts?