Fix Jira Align Program deletion when all related objects have been deleted

Summary

This article discusses a situation when you are unable to delete a Jira Align Program. In this use case, all related objects that are listed on the admin console have already been deleted.

Diagnosis

When an administrator attempts to delete a whole program, Jira Align will block the removal of the program if any objects (such as work items, teams, etc) are still linked to the program being deleted. The on-screen message seen when attempting such a delete gives a summary of the types of objects, along with the count of each object type, that are blocking the deletion. The listed objects then need to be individually identified and edited (to change the associated program) or deleted, before the program itself can be deleted.

After the administrator works through the summary list to delete (or modify) every delete blocking object that they can find in the Jira Align console, they may find that they are still unable to delete the program

Cause

This scenario happens when items have been canceled or sent to the recycle bin. Such items still exist in the system but are not displayed in most console views.

Reproduction Example

1. Delete one Epic from under the program (sending it to the recycle bin)

2. Cancel one Epic from under the program

3. Attempt to delete the program

4. A pop-up "Are you sure?" message will be seen summarising objects that need deleting (at this time, the message will not show the button allowing the actual deletion)

5. Work through all the object types summarised in the message, deleting (or removing the program from) all objects listed that relate to the program

6. Attempt to delete the program again - two Epics will still be shown as needing removal, but these Epics will not be seen in the list of Epics in the console.

Solution

1. Make a note of which item types are still listed in the "Are you sure?" message

2. Go to Items > Epics (or the specific item listed in the message)

3. Select More Actions > Access Recycle Bin

4. Make sure the Item dropdown choice is set correctly, and set the Program to the one being deleted (leaving the Program Increment as Select one)

5. Check the box at the end of each listed item and click the Permanently Delete button

6. Close the Recycle Bin

7. Select More Actions > Access Canceled Items

8. Make sure the Item dropdown is set correctly and set the Program to the one being deleted (leaving the Program Increment as Select one)

9. Check the box at the end of each listed item and click the Permanently Delete button

10. Close the Canceled Items/Objects page

11. Once all object types have been checked (and permanently deleted) for cancelled items or recycle bin content, delete the program (which should now be successful)