Send email with Project Automation works intermittently

Question

We have setup two rules using Project Automation in JSD.

Rule 1 adds a number people to the Request participants field

Rule 2 sends an email to "Request participants".

Rule 2 works intermittently. When it doesn't work the error in the audit log is "Could not send email, the 'To' address field is empty. If you have referenced a field it may be empty". This rule is also set to trigger following rule 1.

Can anyone explain why this is occurring and how to resolve?

See screenshots below.

Hana Kučerová · Answer

I think, it would work, if you merge the rules and add "Re-fetch issue data" step between the actions.

About the tick - it just means, that the rule will also react to the results of the another rules. For example - if the first rule does the issue transition and the second reacts to the issue transition, the second is run, only if the checkbox is ticked. If there are any other issue transitions not caused by automations, the second is also run (this is not related to the checkbox). So, in your case, there is still a chance, that the second one is executed before the first one.

rae edwards · Answer

The rule initially started as two actions within the same rule. However, this continually failed. Hence the rule written in two parts. The second rule followed by the first rule.

We have tick-selected this setting in Rule 2 (see screenshot). The setting description implies that if tick-selected the rule will trigger in response to another rule. Have we got this wrong? Whats the purpose of this setting in the rule details?

Hana Kučerová · Answer

Hi,

I think it happens because sometimes the second rule is executed first. As far as I know, there is no possibility to setup the order of rules and there is no guarantee, that the first rule will be executed before second.

What about to merge the rules together? Is it suitable in your case?