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Time tracking automation

Vladimir Razumeyko

Hi there!

I want to log time spent on tasks automatically. I have a custom field "Worklog", which records the date when the task accepted the "In Progress" status. When the status changes, the worklog should record the difference between the "worklog" field and the current date in minutes.

The problem is that every time the automation is triggered, in the audit log I see the error "Error trying to log work against an issue".

Accepted answers

JD_sjez00

Hi @Vladimir Razumeyko

It looks like an issue with your smart values. You can just use the name of the custom field as the smart value:

{{WorkLog: Start Date}}

Also when you're working out the time spent you need to switch the values around otherwise you get a negative (e.g. -33minutes). So instead use:

{{WorkLog: Start Date.diff(now).minutes}}

Screen Shot 2020-09-04 at 12.14.19 pm.png Hope that helps!

Also for the future when you're trying to debug your smart values try the "Log action" with a manual trigger. It will allow you to print the smart values to the audit log so you can see what value is coming back

Thanks,
John

All comments

Mariana_Pryshliak_Saasjet_qysy8m

Hello @Vladimir Razumeyko

If you won't solve this issue with the help of automatization, you can try Time in Status for Jira Cloud.

This add-on will calculate all data automatically and generate a report.

I hope it helps.

Best regards, Mariana

Poorvi Jhawar

Hi @Vladimir Razumeyko

You can also look into EasyTime, an automatic time tracking app for Jira. So instead of recording time in a particular status, it is based on Jira events like — reading an issue, internal and external comments and resolving the issue.

It also has the ability to automatically stop tracking time when you work on other Jira issues. If you are using any timesheet apps, the time will be logged with an automated worklog summary, which can be configured by the team. I do think it will solve your problem.

Screen Shot 2020-07-13 at 12.23.08 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-07-10 at 1.07.19 PM.png

I am affiliated with TechTime, the business that has developed this app

In case you have questions, feel free to get in touch with us.

Cheers

Poorvi

Alexander Eck [Tempo]

Hi @Vladimir Razumeyko

in general I would rather recommend to use a web request as an action and leverage e.g. the Tempo REST API to log time. I wrote up an article about it here.

But to troubleshoot your problem above:

1. try to get the value of the rendered smart fields. E.g. by sending yourself an email. The problem could be related to a not proper formatted field (especially the date field). So you should try to add some format parameter as:

.format("yyyy-MM-dd")

2. Use the advanced options. You might run into a permission problem. You need to make sure that the user behind the automation has permission to log time in the destination project.

JD_sjez00

Hi @Vladimir Razumeyko

It looks like an issue with your smart values. You can just use the name of the custom field as the smart value:

{{WorkLog: Start Date}}

Also when you're working out the time spent you need to switch the values around otherwise you get a negative (e.g. -33minutes). So instead use:

{{WorkLog: Start Date.diff(now).minutes}}

Thanks,
John

Vladimir Razumeyko

Wow it works! Thank you so match!)

Mehmet A _Bloompeak_

Hi @Vladimir Razumeyko ,

With automation, the time logged ignores your breaks and weekends. Our team developed Status Time app, which calculates time spent on each status based on your custom working calendar and holidays. Then you can get a report on actual working time for each status.

You can check the online demo and see it in action. Hope it helps.

Screen Shot 2020-09-04 at 13.53.24.png

JC_y827z8

Hi! I'm trying to use the same workflow to automate it but it throws this error:

I'm trying to pick the "Date started" from the issue field "Start date"
but I'm getting this:
Screenshot 2021-01-25 at 14.33.53.png

This is the actual setup:
Screenshot 2021-01-25 at 14.36.08.png Screenshot 2021-01-25 at 14.37.11.png

JD_sjez00

Hey @JC

There might be two problems you're facing, try the first item below and if your automation still fails do the second one as well.

1. Update the smart values

Looking at the issue view screenshot your the field is called "Start date" (in Vladimir's example it was called "Worklog: Start Date"). You need to update the smart values in the worklog to reflect the field name so it would be

{{Start date.diff(now).minutes}}

and for the date started field

2. Update the field type

Looking at your screenshot I can't see the time on your start date field. This might be because it is a date field and not a date time field. The example above uses minutes in the time spent filed. You can update it to using days (just update that first smart value in the time spent field) or if you want to use minutes still then update change to using a date time field.

Thanks,

John

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