Jira Automation with random delay and variable comments

[Kevin Anderson]

Hi, for a Jira Automation rule I automatically add a comment based on specific information from the ticket. To make this message sound less robotic, I am looking at ways to add variations.

Is it possible to:

1. add a random delay before posting the comment? Eg. "Add a comment between 10 and 45 minutes".
2. create multiple versions of the same message and let Jira pick randomly?

Thanks.

[Sebastian Krzewiński]

Hi @Kevin Anderson 

It is not possible to achieve in Automation for Jira. 

Regards,

Seba

[Kevin Anderson]

Thanks Seba. Do you know of any workaround to achieve something similar?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

No, you would need to script something outside Jira to do this via the REST API.

I don't recommend doing this - the fact that you want it to look "less robotic" suggests that you have an educational or process problem with your users.  The best thing to do would be not try to lie to them - respond instantly with a message that tells them that it is an automated response.

[Kevin Anderson]

Although I don't see this as lying to someone. I still write the message and define the rules. I do get your point, it blurs the lines between a real time message from a human being and one from a robot.

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

"Lie" was a little strong, I'm sorry for that.  I think my point was more "if you're going to automatically respond, tell people that it is an automation talking to them" - that removes all need for looking less robotic or scripted, including the random timing, because the recipient knows it has been set up by an admin who understands what they're talking about, and has run into the same questions many times!

[Kevin Anderson]

Good point. Thanks Nic.