Subtask how to calculate total time

Question

Hi,

I am using Jira with an agile project setup.  We have been creating tasks and stories with sub tasks.  The problem is that we have been assigning estimate times to our subtasks.  But Jira isnt showing the total time for the task / story in the 'plan' overview window.  Are we doing something wrong or is this normal?

We could just make stories with estimates and no sub tasks - but this isnt ideal in the 'work' view.

Thanks,

James

Aneto · Answer

Hi James,

We encountered the same problem and solved it while solving another problem.

We use PERT estimations because we run our projects using a combination of PMI and Scrum methodologies.

Since Jira did not provide the means to do PERT estimations and we had to do it in an excel sheet and then pass them to Jira manually, we decided to create one.

We also estimate the subtasks and not the stories so quickly after implementing the add-on we noticed the problem that the estimations of the subtasks did not "roll-up" to the story. So we implemented that in the PERT calculator also.

You can search for the PERT calculator on the market place and see if this can work for you.

Other options could include the scriptrunner add-on.

Josh [Obiwansoft]

Andy Nguyen · Answer

Hi James,

This is normal as sub-tasks' estimates are independent of and not accumulated to parent's estimate in JIRA Agile. There has been a long discussion about this and you may find more detailed information at Agile Q&A – GreenHopper Time Estimates with Sub-Tasks.

Cheers,

Andy