Trying to make 2 issue types parents links in same project

Question

I am being asked to create two issue types and my them both hierarchies set so both can be parent links to epics. I can set one or the other, but it doesn’t seem we can have two. I did trick it by creating the issue link field and making the Objective the parent of the epic. In my hierarchy I have Initiative set as #1 in that hierarchy.

The reason this is even an issue is my management wants Initiatives assigned to certain type projects and Objectives to another type. Do you know if this can be accomplished?

Trudy P Claspill · Answer

Hello @Spencer F Robbins

Welcome to the Atlassian community.

You should be able to have more than one type of issue specified at the level above the Epics in the issue hierarchy.

The issue type hierarchy does apply globally, so for all projects that use the specified issue types they will only be able to use the issue types as parents to Epics. But you don't have to use both specified issue types in a project.

Dave Rosenlund (Trundl) · Answer

Welcome to the community, @Spencer F Robbins 👋

In the Atlassian world, the "Parent link" is special. And in the Atlassian view of the world, Jira issues can have only one "Parent link."

That said, an issue can be linked to as many issues as you'd like in a parent-child relationship. You just can't use the "Parent" link for this. You must use another link type. E.g., Blocks, Depends On, or some custom issue type that you create.

Note that this can get confusing for everyone if you aren't careful becuase many Jira features use the "Parent" link type.

You may wish to explore a Project Portfolio Management (PPM) add-on from the Atlassian Marketplace. They can help you build a dashboard/process that is not dependent on this Atlassian feature.

Hope this helps,

-dave