Automation Rule: Link multiple recently created stories within the same epic

[Andi Klaeusli]

Dear community,

I intend to link multiple recently created stories of the same epic, thereby ensuring that all of these stories follow a sequential workflow. In other words, Story B cannot be started before Story A has been completed, etc. To this end, I'm trying to create an automation rule which seeks to block Story B until Story A has been finished ("Story B blocks Story A"/"Story A is blocked by Story B"). The rule is triggered when a new issue has been created. Then, a condition checks if the new issue type equals a "story" and if the issue's summary contains a particular substring (=Story B). (see print-screen)

While the trigger and the conditions run smoothly, the Branch JQL, by which I'm looking for the Story B within the same epic as Story A, does not work. It seems as if the parameter "parent" causes the trouble, at least according to the error message in the audit log:

I've already tried to spare the quotation marks or to use a created smart value variable in the JQL query instead of the smart value, but to no avail.

What do I miss here? Do you have any general suggestions how to approach this task of linking stories or do you have any specific suggestions which "bring this automation rule to life"? 

Thank you in advance for your advice and support!

[Meg Holbrook]

Would this work for you?

timespent is not empty

[Philip Heijkoop _ALM Works_]

Hey Meg,

I'm afraid that doesn't work. timespent isn't the same as work logged for me. But `worklogged is not empty` also doesn't do the trick I'm afraid.

[Meg Holbrook]

Hey Philip, 

It's too bad that the timespent won't work in your situation. I've scanned the forums and other sources for information on this question, and most responses have indicated you will need to install a time tracking addon like Tempo or Timesheet Reports and Gadgets. 

JQL is great, except for when it's not. Fortunately, Atlassian is always working on improving it. 

Sorry I couldn't help you out more! 

[Philip Heijkoop _ALM Works_]

No worries. I was afraid I couldn't make it work with vanilla JQL. 

Thanks anyways.