https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-devops/ Recent content in Azure DevOps on Engineering Leadership in AI & Software Hugo en Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:40:35 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-outsourcing-devops-fails-and-how-real-engineering-excellence-starts-with-your-team/ Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-outsourcing-devops-fails-and-how-real-engineering-excellence-starts-with-your-team/ Outsourcing DevOps often leads to vendor lock-in, legacy systems, and teams that cannot maintain or evolve their own tools. Real engineering excellence comes from building internal capability through partnership, where experts mentor and guide your team to modernize workflows and systems themselves. Invest in developing your engineers’ skills and mindset so your organization can achieve sustainable progress and avoid costly dependencies. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/signals/velocity-isn-t-how-many-story-points-a-team-burns-down/ Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:30:02 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/signals/velocity-isn-t-how-many-story-points-a-team-burns-down/ Velocity is about how quickly your team delivers value, not just story points completed. Focus on measuring time to build, self-test, deploy, and learn from user feedback, as these are actionable and within your control. Start tracking these metrics to improve your delivery speed and effectiveness. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/should-you-use-one-project-to-rule-them-all-in-azure-devops/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/should-you-use-one-project-to-rule-them-all-in-azure-devops/ Using a single Azure DevOps project for all teams and products reduces fragmentation, improves visibility, and streamlines governance compared to managing multiple projects or organisations. Key benefits include unified reporting, easier collaboration, and lower administrative overhead, while Area Paths and Teams provide the necessary structure and security within one project. Development managers should consolidate into one project where possible, using Area Paths and Teams to model structure and scale, to optimise flow and delivery. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/from-legacy-pain-to-modern-devops-my-proven-roadmap-for-real-engineering-transformation/ Mon, 04 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/from-legacy-pain-to-modern-devops-my-proven-roadmap-for-real-engineering-transformation/ Transforming legacy engineering to modern DevOps requires a flexible, evidence-based approach focused on testing hypotheses, starting with the most challenging products, and automating every step from code commit to production. Involve all stakeholders to define essential requirements, automate approvals and deployments, and use phased rollouts with real-time feedback to minimize risk. Focus on one improvement at a time, build a culture of continuous learning, and scale successful practices across the organization. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/testing-in-production-maximises-quality-and-value/ Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/testing-in-production-maximises-quality-and-value/ Testing in production using audience-based deployment enables faster feedback, safer incremental releases, and better alignment with real user needs compared to traditional Dev-Test-Staging pipelines. Microsoft’s shift to this model, driven by feature flags, progressive rollouts, and real-time monitoring, has improved quality and innovation while reducing risk and overhead. Development managers should consider moving away from environment-based branching and invest in automation, observability, and team upskilling to maximise value and responsiveness. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-site-reliability-insights-from-azure-devops-on-building-a-resilient-live-site-culture/ Thu, 04 Jun 2020 02:05:28 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-site-reliability-insights-from-azure-devops-on-building-a-resilient-live-site-culture/ The Azure DevOps team at Microsoft has built a resilient live site culture by prioritising transparency with customers, investing in comprehensive telemetry, and automating deployment processes. Cross-functional teams and structured incident response drive continuous improvement and reliability at scale. Development managers should focus on these practices to boost both agility and system robustness while maintaining customer trust. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/still-deploying-manually-why-automation-is-the-bare-minimum-for-modern-engineering-and-your-business-survival/ Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/still-deploying-manually-why-automation-is-the-bare-minimum-for-modern-engineering-and-your-business-survival/ Manual deployments put your business at serious risk due to inevitable human error, as shown by real-world failures that have caused massive financial losses. Automation of builds, deployments, tests, and quality checks is now the minimum standard for professional software development, enabling faster, safer, and more reliable releases. To protect your business and deliver value consistently, eliminate manual steps and automate every part of your delivery pipeline as soon as possible. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-avoiding-common-pitfalls-for-agile-success/ Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:00:20 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-avoiding-common-pitfalls-for-agile-success/ Many teams misuse Azure DevOps by creating flat work item hierarchies, using custom work item types that do not fit agile practices, neglecting traceability, and overcomplicating processes, which reduces the platform’s effectiveness. Sticking to intended structures and keeping processes simple helps teams stay agile and productive. Review your team’s use of Azure DevOps to ensure alignment with agile principles and avoid these common pitfalls. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/unlocking-engineering-excellence-how-azure-devops-transforms-traceability-transparency-and-the-developer-experience/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/unlocking-engineering-excellence-how-azure-devops-transforms-traceability-transparency-and-the-developer-experience/ Azure DevOps is a comprehensive platform that enhances engineering excellence by providing end-to-end traceability, transparency, and an integrated developer experience across planning, code, builds, and testing. Key benefits include instant visibility into what is deployed where, streamlined audit and compliance processes, and reduced friction between developers and testers. Development managers should ensure their teams fully leverage Azure DevOps’ capabilities to improve collaboration, accountability, and product quality. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/stop-guessing-how-to-make-work-visible-and-drive-real-improvement-with-azure-devops-flow-metrics/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/stop-guessing-how-to-make-work-visible-and-drive-real-improvement-with-azure-devops-flow-metrics/ Relying on gut feeling leads to mediocre results, so making work visible with real data is essential for improvement. Azure DevOps provides a strong data foundation but its built-in metrics and visualisations are basic; using tools like Flow Viz or Actionable Agile Metrics gives deeper insights and actionable flow data. To drive better outcomes, move from guesswork to evidence-based decisions by leveraging these tools to make your team’s work and bottlenecks visible. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-azure-devops-wins-for-governance-security-and-scale-right-out-of-the-box/ Mon, 01 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/why-azure-devops-wins-for-governance-security-and-scale-right-out-of-the-box/ Azure DevOps provides integrated governance, security, compliance, and scalability out of the box, eliminating the need for complex tool setups and manual integration. Its seamless traceability, audit trails, and ability to handle thousands of users make it ideal for large-scale, secure software development. Development managers should consider Azure DevOps to reduce operational friction and focus on delivering value rather than managing disparate tools. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/signals/why-using-a-blocked-column-in-azure-devops-is-a-mistake/ Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:30:01 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/signals/why-using-a-blocked-column-in-azure-devops-is-a-mistake/ Using a blocked column in Azure DevOps causes work to stall and be forgotten, rather than resolved. Instead, use a visible blocked tag and keep items in their active state to maintain focus and encourage action. Track blockages to address root causes and keep work moving. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/embracing-automation-the-key-to-transforming-your-development-process-and-boosting-confidence/ Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:45:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/embracing-automation-the-key-to-transforming-your-development-process-and-boosting-confidence/ Embracing automation in testing, deployment, and validation is essential for faster, more reliable software delivery and increased team confidence. The Azure DevOps team drastically reduced feedback loops and technical debt by shifting to automated, efficient testing and empowering developers with local testing tools. Prioritizing automation and quality builds trust both within teams and with customers, so development managers should focus on automating as much as possible to enable continuous delivery and rapid improvement. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-evolution-of-my-journey-with-azure-devops-lessons-and-insights/ Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:21:03 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/the-evolution-of-my-journey-with-azure-devops-lessons-and-insights/ Azure DevOps has evolved from TFS to a powerful, flexible platform that can transform team workflows, but successful adoption and migration require careful planning and sometimes custom solutions. Key lessons include the importance of assessing your environment, choosing the right migration tools, and leveraging expert guidance for complex needs. Development managers should ensure their teams are trained and consider consulting support to maximize the benefits and scalability of Azure DevOps. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-caman-strategy-how-to-leverage-azure-devops-for-effective-visualisation-in-hybrid-work-environments/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:42:17 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-caman-strategy-how-to-leverage-azure-devops-for-effective-visualisation-in-hybrid-work-environments/ Using Azure DevOps to implement a Caman strategy helps hybrid teams visualise and manage work more effectively by establishing shared workflow rules, customising boards and columns, and tracking key metrics like lead and cycle time. Involving the whole team in defining and refining these rules improves transparency and reduces local optimisations that can harm overall flow. Development managers should ensure their teams collaborate on workflow setup in Azure DevOps and regularly review it to optimise efficiency and clarity. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-your-favourite-devops-consulting-outcome/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 07:00:08 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/what-is-your-favourite-devops-consulting-outcome/ A fragmented, multi-billion-dollar software project with 80 to 90 teams across nine countries was transformed by unifying processes and source control onto Azure DevOps, greatly improving collaboration and efficiency. The key outcomes were simplification, system unification, and a shift toward a ‘One Engineering System’ approach. Development managers should consider consolidating tools and processes to drive similar improvements in productivity and teamwork. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/blocked-columns-on-kanban-boards-obfuscate-workflow-and-undermine-effectiveness/ Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:44:53 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/blocked-columns-on-kanban-boards-obfuscate-workflow-and-undermine-effectiveness/ Using Blocked columns on Kanban boards hides the true status of work, encourages team disengagement, and leads to stale tasks and inflated work-in-progress limits. Instead, teams should tag blocked items within their current workflow stage and provide clear context, which maintains transparency and accountability. Managers should avoid Blocked columns and use tags or annotations to highlight issues without disrupting the flow or losing critical information. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/unlocking-continuous-delivery-how-feature-flags-transform-software-development/ Thu, 16 Jan 2025 06:45:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/unlocking-continuous-delivery-how-feature-flags-transform-software-development/ Feature flags enable teams to release new features incrementally, gather user feedback early, and quickly respond to issues, supporting safer and more frequent deployments. Real-world examples like Azure DevOps show that this approach allows for controlled rollouts, continuous monitoring, and ongoing improvements based on user input. Development managers should consider adopting feature flags to improve delivery speed, reduce risk, and ensure features better meet user needs. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-release-management-pipeline-for-professional-developers/ Thu, 04 Dec 2014 12:15:56 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-release-management-pipeline-for-professional-developers/ This guide walks through setting up an automated release management pipeline using TFS/VSO and Azure, showing how to build, deploy, and parameterize a legacy web app across multiple feedback environments. Key takeaways include the importance of automating builds and releases, using environment-specific parameters, and streamlining approvals for smoother deployments. Development managers should consider investing time upfront to automate and parameterize their pipelines, as this reduces manual errors and accelerates feedback cycles. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/avoid-bug-task-anti-pattern-tfs/ Wed, 06 Aug 2014 14:46:41 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/avoid-bug-task-anti-pattern-tfs/ Explains why treating bugs as tasks in Azure DevOps is an anti-pattern, its impact on transparency, quality, and planning, and offers guidance for agile teams to avoid it. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-for-cross-team-and-cross-business-line-work-item-tracking/ Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:34:13 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-for-cross-team-and-cross-business-line-work-item-tracking/ Explains how to use a single Team Project and Team Field in TFS to streamline cross-team work item tracking, reporting, and collaboration across business lines. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-tools-your-ultimate-guide-to-seamless-migrations/ Thu, 17 Oct 2019 19:16:03 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-tools-your-ultimate-guide-to-seamless-migrations/ Azure DevOps Migration Tools enable experienced teams to move work items and related data between environments efficiently, supporting features like syncing changes during migration and extensive customization. For best results, set up a dedicated environment, migrate open work items first, use date-based queries for updates, and monitor API performance. Engage with the active open-source community for support and improvements to ensure a smooth migration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/open-source-with-vsts-or-tfs-and-github-for-better-devops/ Tue, 10 May 2016 16:19:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/open-source-with-vsts-or-tfs-and-github-for-better-devops/ You can use VSTS or TFS for full DevOps and agile capabilities while keeping your open-source code on Github by setting up automated two-way synchronization between the platforms. This approach lets you manage private work and processes in VSTS, then publish selected branches to Github for public access and contributions. Set up automated builds in VSTS to sync code in both directions, using personal tokens for authentication, so you get the best of both tools without extra manual effort. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-a-step-by-step-guide-for-seamless-project-transfers/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:47:09 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-a-step-by-step-guide-for-seamless-project-transfers/ Migrating projects in Azure DevOps can be straightforward if you use the right tools, carefully configure your migration files, and address common issues like field mapping and iteration paths. Key steps include installing migration tools, preparing configuration files, ensuring required fields are present, and matching Git repo names between source and target. Prepare thoroughly, follow the outlined steps, and seek expert help if needed to ensure a smooth migration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/navigating-the-complex-world-of-azure-devops-data-migration/ Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:00:49 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/navigating-the-complex-world-of-azure-devops-data-migration/ Migrating to Azure DevOps is complex, especially with legacy systems, but careful planning and attention to detail can prevent most issues. Key steps include importing legacy data before upgrades, aligning user identities to avoid workflow disruptions, cleaning up databases to meet size limits, and strictly following Microsoft’s backup procedures. Development managers should prioritize preparation and sequencing to ensure a smooth migration and minimize risks. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/maximise-your-scrum-process-leveraging-azure-devops-for-agile-success/ Wed, 03 Apr 2024 17:21:43 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/maximise-your-scrum-process-leveraging-azure-devops-for-agile-success/ Azure DevOps can be customised to effectively support Scrum by focusing on simple, value-driven backlogs and adapting processes like area and iteration paths to fit your team’s structure and workflow. Metrics and common agile tools are optional, so tailor your setup to your team’s needs rather than following defaults. Use Azure DevOps features like tagging, board views, and backlog management to streamline refinement, planning, and execution, and regularly review and improve your processes for better results. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/rethinking-backlog-management-why-a-flat-structure-boosts-agility-and-value-delivery/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:56:26 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/rethinking-backlog-management-why-a-flat-structure-boosts-agility-and-value-delivery/ Using a flat backlog instead of a hierarchical one makes it easier to prioritise work, adapt to changing needs, and focus on delivering value rather than just managing tasks. Flat structures avoid the inflexibility and complexity of parent-child relationships, allowing teams to use tags and flexible visualisations for context. Development managers should consider shifting to a flat backlog to improve agility and value delivery. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-build-vnext-build-definition/ Wed, 04 Mar 2015 17:37:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-build-vnext-build-definition/ Microsoft’s new Build vNext system for TFS and VSO is more modular and user-friendly, offering a wide range of out-of-the-box build and deployment tasks, improved configuration options, and better auditability of changes. It currently supports only Git repositories and continuous integration triggers, with plans for greater extensibility and additional features in the future. Development managers should consider evaluating Build vNext in test environments to prepare for its eventual adoption and to explore its enhanced flexibility and control. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-a-build-vnext-agent/ Wed, 14 Jan 2015 14:55:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-a-build-vnext-agent/ Microsoft’s new modular build system for TFS and VSO, currently in early preview, replaces the old controller model with a more flexible pool and queue approach, simplifying agent management and permissions. Setting up a vNext Build Agent requires spinning up your own VM, installing Visual Studio 2013 or 2015, and configuring the agent via PowerShell. Development managers should prepare for a shift to this new system and consider early testing to understand its benefits and requirements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-standard-environment-for-release-management-in-azure/ Thu, 04 Dec 2014 11:30:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-standard-environment-for-release-management-in-azure/ Setting up a standard release management environment in Azure is straightforward, cost-effective, and closely mirrors on-premises setups by using VMs, resource groups, and Application Insights for analytics. Using the old Azure portal gives better control over naming and resource organization, while Azure’s flexibility allows quick scaling and isolation for multiple environments. Development managers should consider scripting environment setup for repeatability and use Application Insights to track application usage and feedback. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/migrating-source-from-perforce-to-git-on-vso/ Wed, 20 Aug 2014 14:06:13 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/migrating-source-from-perforce-to-git-on-vso/ Step-by-step guide to migrating source code from Perforce to Git on VSO, covering repository setup, dependency management, build processes, and key migration tips. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/execute-tests-with-release-management-for-visual-studio-2013/ Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:29:14 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/execute-tests-with-release-management-for-visual-studio-2013/ Learn how to automate test execution during deployments using Release Management for Visual Studio 2013, including setup steps, environment tips, and common issues. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/how-visual-studio-2010-and-team-foundation-server-enable-compliance/ Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:04:04 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/how-visual-studio-2010-and-team-foundation-server-enable-compliance/ Explains how Visual Studio 2010 and Team Foundation Server support compliance by enabling traceability, audit trails, and linking code changes to requirements and tests. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/why-you-need-to-tag-your-build-servers-in-tfs/ Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:11:55 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/why-you-need-to-tag-your-build-servers-in-tfs/ Tagging build servers in TFS helps manage dependencies, assign builds to suitable agents, and streamline workflows across teams and regions for reliable automation. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/log-elmah-errors-in-team-foundation-server/ Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:30:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/log-elmah-errors-in-team-foundation-server/ Explains how to log Elmah error reports as work items in Team Foundation Server, including attaching error logs, using templates, and retrieving error details. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-the-migration-seamlessly-transitioning-from-tfs-to-azure-devops/ Wed, 31 Jul 2024 11:58:11 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-the-migration-seamlessly-transitioning-from-tfs-to-azure-devops/ Migrating from TFS to Azure DevOps can boost team collaboration, enable cloud capabilities, and provide continuous updates, but it requires careful planning to address compatibility issues and account alignment. Key steps include updating TFS, running validation tools, fixing issues, and thorough post-migration testing to avoid disruptions. To ensure a smooth transition, use the right migration tools and consider expert support for complex environments. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/engaging-with-complexity-team-foundation-server-edition/ Mon, 01 Jul 2013 17:00:31 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/engaging-with-complexity-team-foundation-server-edition/ Detailed walkthrough of a complex Team Foundation Server migration, covering remediation, hardware moves, upgrades, user management, and validation in large enterprise environments. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/in-place-upgrade-of-tfs-2008-to-tfs-2010-with-move-to-new-domain/ Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:57:41 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/in-place-upgrade-of-tfs-2008-to-tfs-2010-with-move-to-new-domain/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading Team Foundation Server 2008 to 2010, including in-place upgrade, build server update, and migrating to a new domain with key troubleshooting tips. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/project-of-projects-with-team-foundation-server-2010/ Tue, 04 Jan 2011 23:51:49 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/project-of-projects-with-team-foundation-server-2010/ Guidance on structuring projects in Team Foundation Server 2010 using Areas, Iterations, source code organisation, work item queries, and build naming for clarity and scalability. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-a-stuck-or-infinitely-queued-build/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:59:23 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-a-stuck-or-infinitely-queued-build/ Learn how to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve stuck or infinitely queued builds in Team Foundation Build, including tips for monitoring and restarting build services. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/the-benefits-of-visual-studio-online-for-the-enterprise/ Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:13:11 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/the-benefits-of-visual-studio-online-for-the-enterprise/ Visual Studio Online offers enterprises always up-to-date tools, integrated build and release management, global access, and reduced infrastructure overhead, enabling greater agility and faster feature delivery. While some customisation and reporting features from TFS are still missing, Microsoft is actively addressing these gaps, and most teams can work around them using tags and new reporting options. Development managers should consider VSO to streamline operations, lower support costs, and keep pace with evolving business needs, provided they are ready for the cultural shift to cloud-based development. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/reserve-an-agent-for-a-special-build-in-team-foundation-server-2012/ Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:37:57 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/reserve-an-agent-for-a-special-build-in-team-foundation-server-2012/ Explains how to reserve a build agent in Team Foundation Server 2012 using custom activities, agent tagging, and workflow changes to ensure reliable, isolated build execution. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/teams-without-areas-using-a-team-field-in-tfs/ Wed, 19 Dec 2012 06:51:44 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/teams-without-areas-using-a-team-field-in-tfs/ Explains how to configure TFS to manage teams using a custom team field instead of area paths, enabling flexible team-product assignments and streamlined backlogs. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2008-and-wss-v3-0-with-sftsv2-to-tfs-2010-and-sf-2010-with-sftsv3/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2008-and-wss-v3-0-with-sftsv2-to-tfs-2010-and-sf-2010-with-sftsv3/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS 2008 and WSS v3.0 with SfTSv2 to TFS 2010 and SharePoint 2010, including process template migration and data handling. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/using-the-build-vnext-capabilities-and-demands-system/ Wed, 11 Mar 2015 14:10:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/using-the-build-vnext-capabilities-and-demands-system/ Build vNext in TFS 2015 introduces a capabilities and demands system that replaces the old agent tagging approach, making it easier to match build agents to specific build requirements. Agents now auto-detect many capabilities, and you can add custom ones like OS version to ensure builds run on suitable machines. This streamlines build configuration and targeting, so managers should explore Build vNext to improve build reliability and agent management. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/should-i-upgrade-to-tfs-2013-update-2/ Thu, 03 Apr 2014 19:26:22 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/should-i-upgrade-to-tfs-2013-update-2/ Covers new features and upgrade steps for Team Foundation Server 2013 Update 2, including improvements in backlog, test, release, and version management. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-expert-insights-for-a-seamless-transition/ Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:45:01 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-expert-insights-for-a-seamless-transition/ Migrating to Azure DevOps is complex and often a one-time event, so most teams lack the necessary in-house expertise. Key challenges include database validation, unexpected data issues, and the need for deep tool knowledge, making external experts or targeted training highly valuable. To ensure a smooth and successful migration, consider bringing in specialists or upskilling your team with expert support. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-navigating-challenges-solutions-and-best-practices/ Wed, 31 Jul 2024 09:25:17 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/videos/mastering-azure-devops-migration-navigating-challenges-solutions-and-best-practices/ Migrating to Azure DevOps can streamline development, reduce costs, and improve scalability, but it comes with challenges like complex legacy systems and team resistance. Success depends on thorough planning, clear communication, extensive testing, and adaptability throughout the process. Development managers should assess their current environment, involve stakeholders, and consider expert support to ensure a smooth and effective migration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-process-template-migration-script-updated/ Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:20:00 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/tfs-process-template-migration-script-updated/ Provides a step-by-step PowerShell script for migrating and updating TFS process templates, including customisations, work item types, categories, and configurations. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-portfolio-backlog-hierarchy-in-team-foundation-server-2013/ Mon, 08 Jul 2013 21:35:24 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/create-a-portfolio-backlog-hierarchy-in-team-foundation-server-2013/ Learn how to customise Team Foundation Server 2013 to add a multi-level Portfolio Backlog hierarchy by editing work item types, categories, and process configuration. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-test-plans-for-web-access-in-tfs-2012-2/ Fri, 10 May 2013 20:42:16 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/configure-test-plans-for-web-access-in-tfs-2012-2/ Explains how to configure Test Plans for web access in TFS 2012.2, focusing on Area Path, team field settings, visibility issues, and workarounds for team-based access. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/ Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:30:18 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/installing-tfs-2012-with-lab-management-2012/ Step-by-step guide to installing and configuring TFS 2012 with Lab Management, including SQL Server, SCVMM integration, troubleshooting, and environment setup tips. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-7-%E2%80%93-rename-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Sat, 12 May 2012 00:25:23 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-7-%E2%80%93-rename-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading TFS process templates by renaming and importing work item types, preserving data, updating fields, categories, configs, and reports. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-3-destroy-all-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:42:04 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/process-template-upgrade-3-destroy-all-work-items-and-import-new-ones/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading a process template in TFS by deleting all existing work items, archiving queries and reports, and importing new template elements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2010-rc-to-tfs-2010-rtm-done/ Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:39:40 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/upgrading-from-tfs-2010-rc-to-tfs-2010-rtm-done/ Step-by-step guide to upgrading from TFS 2010 RC to RTM, including backup, uninstall, install, configuration, SharePoint and build server updates, and post-upgrade testing. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-a-wpf-work-item-control/ Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:14:21 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/articles/creating-a-wpf-work-item-control/ Learn how to build a custom WPF work item control for Visual Studio Team System, enabling WPF UI integration in work item forms using a generic wrapper and IWorkItemControl. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-boards/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:17:24 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-boards/ Azure Boards is an integral component of the Azure DevOps suite, specifically designed to enhance the management of Agile projects. It provides teams with tools to track work items, manage backlogs, and optimise planning through visual boards that accommodate methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban. By offering a comprehensive view of tasks, progress, and team capacity, Azure Boards promotes collaboration and communication, ensuring that all team members are aligned on priorities and deliverables. Its importance lies in fostering transparency and accountability within teams, enabling them to deliver value in a predictable and sustainable manner. The tool supports continuous improvement by allowing teams to analyse workflows, identify bottlenecks, and adapt processes based on real-time data, which streamlines project management and enhances responsiveness to changing requirements and customer feedback. Unlike other tools that may focus solely on task management, Azure Boards integrates seamlessly with other Azure DevOps services, creating a unified environment for development, testing, and deployment. This integration is vital for maintaining a consistent workflow and ensuring that all facets of product development are interconnected, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and greater organisational agility. The long-term advantages of adopting Azure Boards extend beyond immediate project needs, as it fosters a culture of continuous delivery and improvement, reinforcing the principles of Agile and Lean methodologies across the organisation. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-pipelines/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:17:24 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-pipelines/ Azure Pipelines is a cloud-based service designed to automate the processes of building, testing, and deploying applications, thereby enabling teams to deliver value in a predictable and sustainable manner. Originating from the need for efficient software development practices, it integrates seamlessly with various version control systems to facilitate continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD). This capability allows teams to implement code changes frequently and reliably, significantly reducing manual errors and accelerating feedback loops while enhancing collaboration among cross-functional teams. The importance of Azure Pipelines lies in its ability to streamline workflows and improve overall efficiency throughout the software development lifecycle, supporting a diverse array of programming languages and platforms to meet varied project needs. By offering a consistent framework for managing builds and releases, it promotes a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Furthermore, its integration with Azure DevOps tools, such as Azure Boards and Azure Repos, fosters a cohesive project management environment that enhances visibility into the development process and aligns teams towards shared objectives. This systemic approach ultimately drives organisational agility and resilience, with long-term benefits including increased deployment frequency, reduced lead times, and a heightened focus on delivering high-quality software that aligns with customer requirements. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-repos/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:17:24 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-repos/ Azure Repos is a cloud-based source control service within the Azure DevOps ecosystem, designed to help teams manage their code repositories efficiently. It supports both Git and Team Foundation Version Control (TFVC), allowing teams to select the version control system that aligns with their specific workflows. By providing a centralised platform for code collaboration, Azure Repos integrates seamlessly with other Azure DevOps services, such as Azure Pipelines and Azure Boards, thereby enhancing the overall development lifecycle. Its significance lies in its ability to promote collaboration among team members, enabling concurrent work on code while minimising conflicts, which is essential for delivering value in a predictable and sustainable manner. Features like pull requests, branch policies, and code reviews help maintain code quality while facilitating rapid iteration and innovation. Additionally, Azure Repos fosters a culture of transparency and accountability by tracking changes and maintaining a clear history of contributions. This systemic approach to source control streamlines development processes and aligns with agile principles, promoting adaptability and responsiveness to change. By integrating with various tools and practices, Azure Repos empowers teams to focus on delivering high-quality software that effectively meets customer needs. https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-devops/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 10:16:54 +0000 https://engineering-leadership-preview.hinshelwood.com/tags/azure-devops/ Azure DevOps is a comprehensive suite of tools developed by Microsoft that supports continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), enhances collaboration, and streamlines agile project management. It encompasses various functionalities, including Azure Boards for work tracking, Azure Repos for source control, Azure Pipelines for automating builds and deployments, and Azure Test Plans for managing testing efforts. This platform is crucial for organisations seeking to deliver value in a predictable and sustainable manner, as it promotes a culture of collaboration and transparency among teams. By providing a unified environment for development and operations, Azure DevOps facilitates the adoption of best practices in agile methodologies and DevOps principles, ensuring efficient software delivery that is responsive to evolving business needs. Its systemic approach encourages continuous improvement and learning, enabling organisations to swiftly adapt to market demands while upholding high-quality standards. The integration of tools within Azure DevOps mitigates silos, enhances communication, and fosters a shared understanding of project objectives, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a culture of innovation. This capability is vital for organisations aiming to achieve operational excellence and maintain a competitive advantage in a fast-changing landscape.