Visual Studio Team System
A software development project is far more than editing source files. A project starts with gathering client requirements and moves onto design, development, test and deployment. To address these needs Microsoft have produced Visual Studio Team System; an Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) system with tools for all of the phases of the project.
Visual Studio Team System consists of a server, Team Foundation Server, and a number of Visual Studio Team SKUs
- Architect - Allows modelling of a system using tools such as UML and use cases
- Developer - Allows the actual development of code in any .NET supported language such as VB.NET, C# etc. As of late 2008 it also merges in the Database Professional tools to allow the declarative development of SQL database solutions
- Test - Provides extra testing tools, over above those in Developer edition, to allow management of load tests and the QA processes
The Team Suite SKU contains all of the above as one package.
The actual process of how a product is developed is managed using one of a variety of customisable team system project templates. These define how work items are generated and work passes from role to role within the ALM. By customising this template a company’s own process can be modelled, if required, or you can just choose one of the provided templates.
The complexity of VSTS means that adoption is not trivial. From most companies, currently using a relatively simple source control system or no source control at all, adoption will require changes in the way they model their own development processes. Black Marble provide consultancy in both agile project management/ALM in general and specifically using Visual Studio Team Foundation.
For more information please contact us about the VSTS services we offer.
Software Project Management
Many companies have embarked on software related projects that have problems. An often quoted industry statistic is that 25% of software projects succeed, 25% fail completely and the remaining 50% are completed but only part of the originally planned functionality is provided.
Black Marble can help avoid these problems, whether from the outset of the project or when problems start to appear. Our staff know the signs, the problems and the possible solutions to save the day. Black Marble have been called into many failing projects and have turned them around every time.
Our Engineering Director is an MVP for TFS.
click to see his MVP profile!
For all technical developments, Black Marble’s Project Management skills consistently prove essential for on-time delivery, high quality and customer satisfaction. We provide proven practices for planning, building and deploying a variety of technology solutions, combing aspects of software design and development and building and deploying infrastructure into a single project lifecycle for guiding technology solutions of all kinds. Black Marble helps organisations achieve a delicate balance of flexibility while meeting commitments; speed while minimising risk.
Controlling the software development process is a challenge. Project managers need to maintain a clear window through which to keep an eye on the development process. Poor access to the process leads project managers to gradually lose control over the process, resulting in schedule slippage, frustration and, sometimes, loss of customers.
Black Marble has experience and skills in project management that can be put to work for you, to prevent or repair slippage.