modify project structure to include epics

[Mary Irion]

Once a project is configured (whether it is a company managed or team managed project) is it possible (& how would one go about it) to modify project structure to include epics?

I have several projects created from templates whose hierarchy only includes tasks and subtasks.  I need more levels (aka Epics).

Can I modify the existing project's structure and add Epics or must I create a new project and bulk edit (move) all the tasks?  If so, how would I link them to a respective Epic in the new project?

[Callum Carlile _Automation Consultants_]

Hi @Mary Irion 

If you are using a company-managed project, you will need to add the Epic issue type to the Issue Type Scheme associated with your project - you may need to ask a Jira admin to do this, if you are not one yourself. If you have created the projects using shared schemes of existing projects, then you might want to consider creating a new issue type scheme containing the Epic, and associating this with your new projects.

For a Team-managed project, you will need to go to your project settings and then Issue Types - if Epic is not on the left panel, then you can click on + Add Issue Type and there should be an option to add an Epic to the project

Once you have the Epic issue type associated with your project, you may need to add the Epic Link field to issue types which you want to add to an epic (there's a change this may already be there, but worth double checking)

Hope this helps!

[Mary Irion]

Thanks Callum for your assistance.  I followed your directions but noticed that Epic link is not an option to be added to tasks and subtasks to link them to the epic.  How can I add this ?

[Callum Carlile _Automation Consultants_]

@Mary Irion Are you using a team-managed or company-managed project?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Just add epics to the list of possible issue types for the project

[Dirk Ronsmans]

@Mary Irion 

This might help https://support.atlassian.com/jira-cloud-administration/docs/associate-issue-types-with-projects/

[Dave Rosenlund _Trundl_]

Hi, @Mary Irion   In Jira, Epic links are special.  They can only be linked to Jira issue types that exist on the Story level of the hierarchy.

If that doesn't work for you you'll need to look for an Atlassian Marketplace app that allows you to work with custom hierarchies. 

For example, this marketplace search will reveal some of these:

https://marketplace.atlassian.com/addons/app/jira/top-selling?hosting=cloud&query=hierarchies 

Of course, you can craft your own search based on your needs. This article might help you with that:

How to Evaluate Jira Apps: Advice for Solution-Hunting

Or, you can choose to make sure there are always Epics > Stories > Subtasks in your hierarchies.  

Hope this helps, 

-dave 

P.S. Full disclosure. I work for a company that sells a marketplace app that enables custom hierarchies in Jira.