Configure sub-tasks

As a Jira administrator, you can create sub-task work types to split up larger pieces of work into tasks that can be assigned and tracked separately by your teams. Sub-tasks are enabled by default; however, you can choose to disable them if your teams only need to work with standard work types. You can also create workflow conditions to ensure that all sub-tasks are completed before a parent work item can be resolved. 

Enable or disable sub-task work types

Sub-tasks are enabled by default. To disable them, you’ll need to convert existing subtasks to standard work types first. 

1. Select > Work items.

2. Under WORK TYPES, select Sub-tasks.

3. Click Enable or Disable sub-tasks as needed.  

Create a sub-task work type

1. Select > Work items.

2. Under WORK TYPES, select Sub-tasks.

3. Click Add sub-task work type. 

4. Enter a name and description to define the new sub-task work type. 

5. Click Add. 

Edit a sub-task work type

1. Select > Work items.

2. Click Sub-tasks.

3. Find the relevant sub-task work type and click Edit.

4. Edit the name, description, and avatar as needed and click Update. 

Block a parent work item workflow based on a sub-task status

You can create a custom workflow with the Sub-task Blocking Condition on the workflow transitions you want to block based on a sub-task's status. This type of condition can prevent a parent work item from being resolved until all of its sub-tasks are resolved.

1. Select > Work items.

2. Click Workflows.

3. Find the relevant workflow and click Edit.

4. Select a transition (e.g. Resolve) and click Conditions.

5. Click Add condition.

6. Select the Sub-task Blocking Condition and click Add.

7. Select the sub-task statuses (e.g. Done, Resolved) and click Add.

Delete a sub-task work type

Before deleting a sub-task work type, we recommend searching for all work items of that type and bulk editing them to select another existing work type. You can then delete the original sub-task work type without affecting existing work.

1. Select > Work items.

2. Under WORK TYPES, select Sub-tasks.

3. Find the relevant sub-task work type and click Delete.