How to Move Issues Between Projects in Jira

Managing projects effectively often involves shifting issues from one project to another in Jira. Whether you’re reorganizing tasks, consolidating projects, or transitioning issues due to changes in project scope, knowing how to move issues seamlessly is crucial for maintaining workflow efficiency and ensuring that all tasks are tracked properly. This guide will walk you through the steps to move issues between projects in Jira, highlighting key considerations and providing tips for a smooth transition.

Step-by-Step Guide to Moving Issues in Jira

1. Identify the Issues to Move: Before initiating the move, make sure you clearly identify which issues need to be transferred. You can do this by filtering or searching for the issues in the Jira project from which you wish to move them.

2. Check Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to move issues between projects. You need to have the "Move Issues" permission in both the source and target projects. If you lack these permissions, contact your Jira administrator.

3. Navigate to the Issue: Open the issue you want to move. This can be done by searching for the issue using its key or ID, or by locating it within the project’s issue list.

4. Initiate the Move:

   • For Classic Projects: Click on the “More” button (represented by three dots) at the top-right corner of the issue view. Select “Move” from the dropdown menu.
   • For Next-Gen Projects: Click on the issue key or summary to open the issue details. Then, select “More” and choose “Move” from the options.

5. Select the Destination Project: In the “Move Issue” dialog box, you will be prompted to select the destination project. Choose the project where you want the issue to be moved.

6. Map Issue Fields: You may need to map certain fields to their corresponding fields in the target project. For example, if the issue has custom fields or specific status categories, you will need to ensure these are properly mapped to the target project’s configurations.

7. Update Issue Type and Workflow: Depending on the target project’s configuration, you might need to select a new issue type or update the issue’s workflow status. Review the available options and make the necessary adjustments.

8. Review and Confirm: Jira will display a summary of changes that will occur when the issue is moved. Review this summary to ensure all details are correct. Confirm the move by clicking on the “Next” button, and then “Confirm” to complete the process.

9. Verify the Move: After the issue has been moved, navigate to the target project and check the issue to confirm that it has been successfully transferred. Verify that all details and fields are intact and that the issue appears in the appropriate place.

Key Considerations

• Field Compatibility: Ensure that the issue fields in the source project are compatible with those in the target project. Incompatibilities can cause data loss or require additional configuration.

• Workflow and Status: Issues might have different workflows in different projects. Be prepared to adjust the status or transition the issue appropriately in the new project.

• Custom Fields and Screens: Custom fields and screens may differ between projects. Verify that any custom data is correctly mapped and visible in the target project.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Missing Permissions: If you encounter permission errors, ensure you have the correct permissions or consult with your Jira administrator.

• Field Mapping Errors: If fields are not mapping correctly, review the field configurations in both projects and make necessary adjustments.

• Workflow Issues: If the issue’s workflow is not behaving as expected, check if the target project’s workflow configuration aligns with the issue’s status and transitions.

Conclusion

Moving issues between projects in Jira is a straightforward process when you follow the outlined steps and consider the key aspects of field compatibility and workflow adjustments. By mastering this process, you can enhance project management efficiency and ensure that all tasks are accurately tracked and managed.