Chapter 23. Process Templates

WHAT'S IN THIS CHAPTER?

  • Understanding the process template and its components

  • Learning about the MSF for Agile Software Development v5.0 template

  • Learning about the MSF for CMMI Process Improvement v5.0 template

A process is a method or a system used by teams while developing software applications. Most of us have had our fair share of experience working on projects using the waterfall method. And there is no shortage of other documented processes as well. A quick search online could get you a list of various development processes. These processes rely on the members of the team to comprehend the value that this process offers, and to follow the steps or procedures laid out by these processes.

As most of us could attest, many times the processes that were documented in binders and handed off to team members stayed largely untouched. You might argue that this was because of the sheer complexity of the process itself, or because of the amount of context-switching required by the team members to adhere to some of these processes. The list of potential reasons goes on. Sam Guckenheimer and Juan Perez, in their book Software Engineering with Microsoft Visual Studio Team System (Upper Saddle River, N.J: Addison-Wesley Professional, 2006), talk about the fact that most processes and tools force a one-size-fits-all approach, and hence, do not factor in the varying needs of teams.

Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate edition and Team Foundation Server 2010 provide a customizable ...

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