How to automate updating of effort estimate within Jira
Asked by Cole Gladfelter:

At our company we currently utilize three separate fields to track the progress of particular tickets

1. Original estimate - this is edited after we conduct our sprint planning and dev discovery on the tickets in question. The field is not touched after initial time designation
2. Time Tracking - This field is where the developers are logging the amount of time spent on the ticket.
3. Effort Estimate - This field is used by developers to identify how much more time is expected to complete the task. it is updated periodically.

Is there a way to automate how the effort estimate (3) is updated? In a way which logged time is deducted from the original estimate?

Example:

Original estimate - 10h

Time tracking - 6h

Effort estimate would then be automated by using the formula (Original estimate)-(Time tracking)=4h

Would be nice if this is done automatically instead of manually.

Thanks!


Answers:
author: Gracjan Weso?owski _HeroCoders_
body: Hi [@Cole Gladfelter](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5551066)

Welcome to the community!

You might consider using[time-tracking](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/search?category=Time%20tracking&hosting=cloud) apps that, in most cases, have such an option built in.

I can recommend our [Clockwork Automated Time Tracking \& Timesheets Pro](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1219213/clockwork-automated-time-tracking-timesheets-pro?hosting=cloud&tab=overview) or the [Free](https://marketplace.atlassian.com/apps/1220750/clockwork-automated-time-tracking-timesheets-free?hosting=cloud&tab=overview) app, which offers you the possibility to calculate remaining time based on the original estimate and time spent. You can also display that in the report. Please see an example below:

![gif (1).gif](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/337543i625E95424372EE26/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "gif (1).gif")

If you have any questions you can contact us via our[help center.](https://herocoders.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portals)

Cheers!

Gracjan


author: Caio Covos
body: Hi [@Cole Gladfelter](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5551066)

To automate the update of the "Effort Estimate" field in Jira based on the values of "Original Estimate" and "Time Tracking", you can use Jira Automation. Here's a step-by-step guide to set up an automation rule that updates the "Effort Estimate" field using the formula (Original Estimate) - (Time Tracking).

**Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Automation**

1. ++**Navigate to Automation Rules:**++

? Go to **Project Settings**.

? Click on **Automation**.

2. ++**Create a New Automation Rule:**++

? Click on **Create rule**.

3. ++**Set the Trigger:**++

? Choose **Field value changed**.

? Set the field to **Time Tracking** (or **Log Work** if you are tracking time via work logs).

? Save the trigger.

4. ++**Add a Condition:**++

? Click on **New condition**.

? Choose **Issue fields condition**.

? Set the condition to check that **Original Estimate** and **Time Tracking** fields are not empty.

? Save the condition.

5. ++**Add a Branch for "For Current Issue":**++

? Click on **New branch**.

? Select **For Current Issue**.

6. ++**Add the Action to Update the "Effort Estimate" Field:**++

? Click on **New action**.

? Select **Edit issue**.

? Choose the **Effort Estimate** field.

? Set the value using the smart values:

```
{{issue.originalEstimateSeconds}} - {{issue.timeSpentSeconds}}
```

comments: author: Cole Gladfelter
body: Hello [@Caio Covos](/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/5003334) !

I really appreciate your response! However, I'm running into an issue on step 4 as I'm unable to select either original estimate or time tracking from the "field" drop down menu. Any thoughts?

![Jira automation.jpg](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/337687i7B572E44167AD6A7/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999 "Jira automation.jpg")


Tags: cloud

jira-cloud