How to merge Jira instances with colliding project keys?

Question

Hello,

I have to merge a smaller Jira Software Server instance into a bigger one.

I read a lot of blog posts about it and the process is now clear for me.

However there are projects in the smaller instance, which use the same project key as project in the bigger instance?

To add to the complexity both instances are linked with Confluence servers, which need to be merged too.

In which system is better to change the project key - the source (before merging) or the target (again before merging)?

Let's imagine that the project key is ABC and we have issue ABC-1 in both instances.

If I change the key in the source instance to DEF, then the issue ABC-1 will be accessible by two issue keys - DEF-1 and ABC-1.

OK, but now if I move project DEF to the other instance and search for issue ABC-1, which issue will be returned - DEF-1 or ABC-1 from the target instance?

I am trying to anticipate all problems with incoming links that will arise after the merge

Peter T · Answer

Hi Pavel, did you get you problem resolved?

Pavel Boev_dzgvn2 · Answer

Thanks, George.

I will try the approach you suggested.

I am worried that links from other systems (Confluence, Github) will be broken, but I suppose it is inevitable.

I watched your presentation at the Summit and it's quite helpful

George Stoyanov _Nemetschek Bulgaria_ · Answer

Hi

There is a very simple solution to your "project keys problem".

Before starting the merge you must do the following.
1. Rename the project on the small JIRA system
2. Export the Project, use the XML backup
3. Delete the already renamed and exported project.
4. Import back the project via the XML importer.

This way you will loose the records in DB for the old key in the DB.
Do not forget to try this on a test instance :)

To see what kind of problem you can expect you can take a look at the presentation that I've made on the European Summit 2017 here ->
https://www.atlassian.com/company/events/summit-europe/watch-sessions/2017/scale-extend/a-brave-journey-in-merge-waters-how-paysafe-consolidated-their-atlassian-tools
or at the community
https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Summit-discussions/Summit-Europe-2017-A-Brave-Journey-in-JIRA-Merge-Waters/td-p/591645

https://www.slideshare.net/GoAtlassian/a-brave-journey-in-merge-waters-how-paysafe-ycaonosvolidated-their-atlassian-tools