For Project Timeline, can you define what start and end fields to use?

[Scott Boekweg]

Our company-managed project only uses Target Start and Target End dates. Is it possible to use these fields instead of Start date and Due date.  We can create a Project Timeline with bars representing duration but they don't update Target Start and Target End nor can these values be seen outside of the Project Timeline. I know this can be defined in Plans but I don't know if it can be defined in Projects. 

[Mark Segall · Accepted solution]

Hi @Scott Boekweg and welcome to the community!

Unfortunately, this is not currently possible (especially frustrating for those of us that started on Advanced Roadmaps back when Target Start/End were the default date fields, but I digress).  There's a similar Jira Work Management suggestion here, but I don't see anything for Jira Software

https://jira.atlassian.com/browse/JWMCLOUD-43

The best you can do in the short term is create an automation that duplicates the Target Start/Target End to the Start/Due Date fields.  That would look something like this:

• TRIGGER: Field Value Changed (Target Start, Target End)
• ACTION: Edit Issue
  • Start Date

    • {{issue.Target Start}}

  • Due Date

    • {{issue.Target End}}

Of course, this assumes you aren't using Start and/or Due date fields for something else.

[Scott Boekweg]

Thanks for confirming @Mark Segall. That's what I was seeing through all the online documentation but was hoping I was still missing something. I like the idea of automating duplication. I'll have to check if these are being used differently.

Thank you for your quick response!