How To

❓ How to Move a Subtask from One User Story to Another in Atlassian Jira

Not sure how to move a subtask from one user story to another in Atlassian Jira? Check out our quick How To in Jira and learn to do so in a few simple steps!

Table of content

• Introduction
• When to Move a Subtask
• Step by Step Process of moving a single subtask
• Bulk Moving Subtasks

Introduction

Atlassian Jira is a powerful tool for managing projects and tracking issues. Sometimes, during the course of a project, you might find that a subtask created under one user story fits better under another. This could be due to changes in project scope, realignment of tasks, or simply a reassessment of where the subtask logically belongs.

When to Move a Subtask

Here are a few scenarios where you might need to move a subtask:

1. Change in Project Scope: The project's direction has shifted, and the subtask now aligns more closely with a different user story.
2. Reorganization of Tasks: During a project review, it's decided that certain tasks need to be reorganized under different user stories for better clarity or workflow.
3. Error Correction: The subtask was initially created under the wrong user story by mistake.
   

Step by Step Process of moving a single subtask

Step 1: Locate the Subtask

• Navigate to the user story currently housing the subtask.
• Find the subtask you wish to move in the list of issues.

Step 2: Open the Subtask

• Click on the subtask to open its details.

Step 3: Move the Subtask

• Click the Actions button on the top - right hand side (represented with three dots) in the subtask's details view.
• Click on it and select "Move."
  

Step 4: Select New Parent Issue, Change Issue Type, or Project

• In the Move Issue dialog, you'll have several options. This is a crucial step where you can not only select a new parent issue but also change the issue type or move the subtask to a different project.
• Selecting a New Parent Issue: You can type the name or the ID of the user story to which you want to move the subtask. A list of suggestions will appear based on your input. Choose the appropriate user story from this list.
• Changing the Issue Type: If the subtask needs to be converted into a different type of issue (like a bug, task, or user story), you can do so in this step. Select the new issue type from the available options.
• Moving to a Different Project: Sometimes, a subtask might be more relevant to a different project altogether. In this case, select the target project from the drop-down list. Remember, the available issue types and workflows might differ based on the target project, so ensure that your subtask aligns with these new settings.
• After making your selection, click 'Next' to proceed. You may need to map fields or update certain issue attributes in the following screens, depending on the changes you're making.

Step 5: Confirm the Move

• After selecting the new user story, confirm the move by following the on-screen instructions.

• The subtask will now be moved under the new user story.
  

Step 6: Verify the Move

• Navigate to the new user story to ensure the subtask is now listed there.
• Check that all details and comments from the subtask are intact.

Bulk Moving Subtasks

In situations where you need to move multiple subtasks at once, Jira offers a bulk move option. This is particularly useful when you're reorganizing a large number of tasks or managing significant changes in your project.

Step 1: Access the Bulk Change Tool

• From the main dashboard, use the search functionality to find the subtasks you want to move. You can use various filters to narrow down your search.

Note: Moving to another parent issue requires all selected subtasks to be under the same issue.

Step 2: Initiate Bulk Change

• Look for "three dots" button on the top - right hand side. Click on it and select "Bulk change ..."
• Select "Move Issues" from the bulk operations menu.

Step 3: Choose the New Parent Issues

• In the Bulk Move wizard, you will be prompted to select parameters of the move similar to moving the single subtask described above.

Step 4: Review and Confirm

• Review your changes to ensure each subtask is being moved correctly.
• Confirm the move by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 5: Verify the Bulk Move

• After completing the move, navigate to each new user story to ensure all the subtasks have been correctly reassigned.
• Check that all details and comments for each subtask remain intact.