Ability to iterate / loop an JIRA automation rule to create N number of sub-tasks

[Nuwanee Nadeesha]

Hi Experts!

I'm currently trying to create a rule using JIRA service management automation to create an N number of subtasks when an issue transitions from one state to another.

My problem is as follows:

• My trigger issue has two date fields: Start Date and End date
• If the difference between the Start Date and the End date is considered as N number of business days;
• Then I need to create N number of subtasks under the trigger issue; one sub-task per each business day. 

Is there a way to create a number of subtasks dynamically based on a value defined in any custom field/variable?

Any help, advice, direction would be greatly appreciated please?

[Alex Koxaras _Relational_ · Accepted solution]

Hi @Nuwanee Nadeesha 

There isn't a simple way to do what you want. The only feature that Atlassian provides us with Jira Automation is to "branch" using a custom variable list. And this has to be a list!

With that said the only list I can think of and could do that trick for you is a multi select checkbox. In theory this should work:

• Create a checkbox field with XX values (let's hope that you will not need more that 30-31)
• Create a rule
• Calculate the date difference you want (hopefully less that 30-31)
• Using If/Else pass the difference to the CF
  • if you have e.g. a diff of 10 days, then ALL values from 1 to 10 must be selected
• Once you done this branch using a custom variable
• As a list, you place the values of the above field
• As an internal component you place a create subtask under the trigger issue

It's not the best approach, but it's the only thing you've currently got. I would recommend getting an app like JMWE and do everything from there. Better :)

[Nuwanee Nadeesha]

Hi @Alex Koxaras _Relational_

Thanks for the valuable feedback, I'll try out your workaround and hopefully revert with some results.

[Kian Stack Mumo Systems · Accepted solution]

@Nuwanee Nadeesha, 

I'm not sure what the best way to do this would be/if it is possible. I took a look at a few different options to see what if anything can be done. In order to iterate a dynamic number of times, you would need to use the advanced branching. One thing you could try to do is find an API endpoint which returns a list of each business date between the start and end date custom fields. You could iterate over that response and tell if to create a new subtask for each business date returned. I haven't found an API like that, but one may exist that you could leverage.

You can get the total number of business days using this smart value - {{now.diff(issue.created).businessDays}}, but that doesn't give you anything to iterate over.

[Kian Stack Mumo Systems]

There is an open feature request to iterate a number of times based on a custom field, but that hasn't been picked up yet. 

[Nuwanee Nadeesha]

Hi @Kian Stack Mumo Systems

Thanks for the valuable feedback and details.

[Payden Pringle]

Greetings Nuwanee,

I have recently released a Community Article specific to your issue, so I thought it'd be helpful to share it here.

How to create dynamic looping in Automation for Jira

I hope this helps.

Take Care,
Payden Pringle
Atlassian Support