Jira Service Desk: How do I assign an issue back to the portal customer?

Question

Hi,

When my portal customers create an issue it is automatically assigned to an agent which is great.

But how do I assign the issue back to the customer? E.g. when the agent needs more information from the customer, or answer the question in the issue, but will not close the issue if the customer doesn't feel it is resolved.

This is really important to do - otherwise what kind of service can we give, if we cannot assign an issue back to the reporter.

I have of course set my permissions so that it should be possible to assign an issue to the reporter of the issue. However this doesn't work, as the reporter is a customer and not an agent.

What can I do?

Jack Brickey · Answer

By default, as the reporter they will receive an email when it is waiting for them for input. As well in the portal if they view the issues they created then they know which ones require their input by the Status field. If there is concern that the customer is ignoring such emails or not using the portal then reaching out via phone call might be appropriate.

I can see where it would be a useful improvement to allow the customer to filter on issues in the “Waiting Customer” status. There may even be an existing suggestion on this.

Arthur Ekanda Ekanda · Answer

But the customer still need a way to know which issues are actually waiting on them without having to read over each and every issue.

Jack Brickey · Answer

Confirming what Julian indicated, the customer cannot be the Assignee of an issue. However, this is not necessary. The default workflow has the ability to Respond to Customer which places the issue in an Awaiting customer status which equates to the customer owning the next step. Then once they respond via comment it goes back to the agent.