Retain the timestamp if it already exists.

[Geethanjali S J]

We have universal transition statuses, I already configured a custom field timestamp at In progress status. Is there any way to not update the timestamp when moving to In progress if a timestamp already exists. When we come out of on hold status to In progress status, the timestamp is currently refreshed which skew our cycle time.

[Trudy Claspill]

Hello @Geethanjali S J 

Exactly how did you configure the custom field timestamp and how are you setting its value?

[Geethanjali S J]

Hi @Trudy Claspill Thanks for the response.

Our workflow consists of four universal statuses: open, on hold, in progress, and Done. In progress timestamp must be recorded as soon as they enter the in progress status. By adding a post function at In progress transition, namely Update Any issue field in the field value as %%CURRENT_DATETIME%%, I was able to produce an in progress timestamp at the in progress status.

In progress Time stamp are captured when we move an issue from open to in progress status, and they continue to change when we move the issue back to open and again to in progress status. If a timestamp already exists, we must not update it when switching to the in progress status.

[Trudy Claspill]

Do you have any third party apps/plugins added to your system that extend the capabilities of workflow customization?

[Geethanjali S J]

@Trudy Claspill We installed JSU plugin nothing more than this.

For reference I am attaching snapshot.

[Trudy Claspill]

Based on the following documentation for JSU, it seems that you should be able to define a Pre-condition for that Post Function to check if the custom field is empty.

https://beecom-products.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/JSUCLOUD/pages/27801978/Preconditions+for+Post+Functions

[Geethanjali S J]

@Trudy Claspill 

Even if we set a precondition it didn't work. The timestamp is updating even though the custom field is not empty.

Is there another to achieve this or any automation rules?

[Trudy Claspill]

Please show us the configuration of the Post Function including the pre-condition.

Also please show us the workflow diagram.