Linked Issues

[Anandan Subramani]

This query concerns the field 'Linked Issues' in Jira cloud software.

Query 1: Can an issue (dependent) that is blocked by another issue (depending upon) start (To Do, first column) or even complete (Done, the last column) before, depending upon the issue start? Meaning B can start only after A is finished.

Case: I have two issues in a Sprint, Issue A and Issue B. Issue A's Linked issue attribute is set to 'blocks issue B' and B to 'blocked by issue A,' meaning A cannot start until B starts. However, I have completed issue B without even starting issue A.

How does the system allow to violate the rule set in the Linked issue attribute?

I guess I made some mistake(s) somewhere, but I can't put my finger on where my mistake is. I have attached screenshots of Issue A, Issue B, the Issue List of the Sprint, and the Board.

Query 2: Does the Board have the facility to create a Gantt chart, so GUI does linking issues? I know it exists in Roadmap, but I haven't seen one Sprint issue.

Query 3: Linked issue gives Finish to Start (FS) relationship. Is it possible to create three other dependencies, viz., FF, SS, and SF, in issues?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist- · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Atlassian Community!

An issue link is a link, it is just information that two issues have some form of relationship.  It doesn't do anything else, although some apps will show them in different ways.

So:

1. There's no "violation", an issue link is a link showing that two issues are related.  "Dependency" is just one type of issue link. You are guessing that links are more than that, but they are not. 
2. The board does not.  The roadmap function is a bit more clever and useful than a Gantt chart, so Jira doesn't really have a Gantt function.  There are apps that add them though.
3. You can create whatever issue link types you want with different names.  Go to Admin -> Issues -> Issue linking to set up new ones.

[Anandan Subramani]

Thanks for your reply.

Dependency is important for the team to select a day’s work in daily stand-up meetings. It’s fine if Jira doesn’t address that. I was just wondering what the purpose of the ‘blocked’ field is, and it’s clear now it is like a comment field and doesn’t do validation.

I tried to create a chart in the Roadmap section; something close a Gantt chart. A similar chart for Sprint would be helpful. It would complete Board.

I will close this inquiry. Thanks again

[PgM Innovations]

hi @Anandan Subramani, when you get a chance, I recommend you to explore our App, Dependency Tracker. It is a unique app that helps in managing & tracking dependencies. Here is the link: 

Hope this app helps with day-to-day operations!