Professional Scrum with Team Foundation Server 2010

by Resnick, Steve; Bjork, Aaron; de la Maza, Michael

• ISBN13: 9780470943335
• ISBN10: 0470943335
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-05-03
• Publisher: Wrox

Summary

This book offers a practical approach to running Agile software projects using Visual Studio's project management templates and tools in real-world project environments. The author starts with an overview of the interaction of traditional, scrum-based agile development techniques and the Microsoft Solutions Framework, which provides a team and milestone model for organizing the overall project effort. He shows how in combination, these iterative approaches enable teams to reliably deliver both commercial software and internal projects.The author describes the key templates that come with the product and demonstrates the best practices for using them. He covers the key data items to track and reviews the specific reports that turn that data into actionable information.But this is more than just a book about tools---it is a book about process and results. It focuses on the artifacts that must be in place to keep a project on track and heading in the right direction. This includes team models, process models and detailed tracking assets.While Visual Studio enables easy visibility to project metrics, the tools and data can become overwhelming. This book highlights the most pertinent information so that everyone involved can see just what is necessary. Developers and managers can track their work in Visual Studio, while other stake holders, from executives to beta testers, can use a web browser or Office to access the same information.This book addresses the messy challenges of communication, organization and resource constraints. It draws from experience of projects spanning the "envisioning phase" to "ship mode", using Visual Studio to organize and track progress using Agile methods. In short, this book combines the theory and practical experience to help the reader ship great software.

Author Biography

Steve Resnick is a founder and managing director of BlueMetal Architects, a consulting and product development firm specializing in IT strategy, architecture, design, and delivery. Previously, he was CTO of the Microsoft Technology Centers.

Aaron Bjork is a senior program manager at Microsoft, working on Agile experiences and tooling within Team Foundation Server.

Michael de la Maza is an Agile coach and trainer whose clients include Carbonite, Intuit, EMC, and Verizon Wireless. He developed the 19-course KnowAgile curriculum that is taught throughout the country.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD.

INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER 1: SHIPPING SOFTWARE.

CHAPTER 2: ORGANIZING A SCRUM TEAM.

CHAPTER 3: TRACKING WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN TEAM FOUNDATION SERVER.

CHAPTER 4: GETTING STARTED WITH THE TFS SCRUM TEMPLATE.

CHAPTER 5: WORK ITEMS, QUERIES, AND REPORTS.

CHAPTER 6: THE PRODUCT BACKLOG.

CHAPTER 7: TRACKING QUALITY.

CHAPTER 8: RUNNING A RELEASE.

CHAPTER 9: RUNNING A SPRINT.

CHAPTER 10: THE RETROSPECTIVE.

CHAPTER 11: IMPROVING SCRUM BY USING SPIKES.

APPENDIX A: WORKING WITH SCRUM ASSESSMENTS.

APPENDIX B: REFERENCES.

INDEX.