Link work item - list of what each option entails?

Davis, Jessica

I've been using the 'link work' option to start to show relationships and connections between Ideas in JIRA PD.

Out of the ~30 options in the dropdown, some count as 'delivery' and so move to that tab, some count as 'link work items' and some seem to be listed on the parent ticket and others don't. 

Is there a comprehensive list of what each of these options entails functionality wise? It would be really helpful for consistency and ease of navigating. I have searched but only found link to Jira software instructions  rather than between Jira PD Ideas. Thanks! 

Bill Sheboy

Hi @Davis, Jessica -- Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

Other than the special Jira Product Discovery (JPD) link type used for Delivery work items, internally named "Polaris issue link", my understanding is the link types do nothing regarding work item relationships.

That is, "blocks" does not block anything.  Instead the types help teams organize work items and may be used in listing relationships, JQL queries, automation rules, etc.  (Although there are likely marketplace apps which do use them more effectively.)  To learn more, please see the attributes of links here:

https://support.atlassian.com/jira-software-cloud/docs/jql-fields/#Work-item-link-type

 

One more thing based on what you described in the question...

When linking a JPD Idea to a "Delivery" work item, use the JPD tab in the UX to do so or add the specific type from the non-JPD work item to connect to the idea.  This will ensure the correct the type is used.

In the UX, this special link type is named implements / is implemented by.  However, that same link type outside of JPD can be used to link other things (e.g., linking two Epics).  This overloading can cause confusion if just filtering on "implements".

 

Kind regards,
Bill