SPM - Unit-6
SPM - Unit-6
Visibility is a crucial aspect of DevOps, enabling teams to gain insights into the software
development lifecycle, identify potential issues, make informed decisions, and ultimately
deliver high-quality software efficiently. In Azure DevOps, a comprehensive set of tools and
features fosters visibility across various aspects of the development process.
1. Project Progress and Burndown Charts: Visualize project progress using burndown
charts, tracking the completion of tasks and user stories over time.
2. Velocity Tracking: Monitor team performance and predict future capacity by analyzing
velocity, the measure of work completed in each sprint.
3. Kanban Boards: Employ Kanban boards to visualize work flow, identify bottlenecks,
and optimize workflow efficiency.
4. Release Management Dashboards: Track the progress of software releases,
ensuring a smooth and controlled delivery process.
5. Real-time Builds and Tests: Monitor the status of builds and tests in real-time to
identify and address issues promptly.
6. Code Coverage Analysis: Gain insights into code coverage metrics to ensure
adequate testing and identify areas for improvement.
7. Error and Defect Management: Track and manage errors and defects to prioritize
fixes and ensure software quality.
8. Deployment and Release History: Analyze deployment and release history to identify
patterns, trends, and potential areas for optimization.
ALM tools are integrated software solutions that streamline the end-to-end processes of
software development and delivery, covering the entire lifecycle from conception to
maintenance.
2. Version Control: Manage source code effectively with branching, merging, and
concurrent development support.
5. Test Management: Create, execute, and manage test cases, integrating with testing
frameworks and tools for automated testing.
10. Scalability and Flexibility: Scale to accommodate projects of varying sizes and
adapt to different development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall).
2. Azure DevOps (Microsoft): Integration with Microsoft tools, end-to-end CI/CD, work
tracking, source code repositories, and extensive reporting.
4. GitLab: Integrated CI/CD, version control, issue tracking, code review, and a
complete DevOps platform.
Carefully consider the specific needs of the development team, the project's scale, and the
preferred development methodology when selecting an ALM tool. The goal is to choose a
tool that integrates seamlessly into the team's workflow and provides the necessary features
to support the entire application development lifecycle.
What is Azure Board? Explain with suitable example? [5]
Imagine a bustling construction site where various tasks are underway simultaneously, each
contributing to the final goal of building a skyscraper. Azure Boards serves as the central
hub for managing and tracking such complex projects, ensuring that all team members are
aligned and working towards a common objective.
1. Work Item Tracking: Azure Boards provides a centralized repository for managing all
types of work items, including user stories, tasks, bugs, and more. Each work item
contains details about the task, its priority, assignee, and due date, ensuring clarity and
organization.
2. Agile Planning Tools: Agile methodologies like Scrum and Kanban emphasize
iterative development and adaptability. Azure Boards offers a suite of Agile planning
tools, such as backlogs, sprint planning boards, and task boards, to facilitate effective
planning, tracking, and adjustment of work items throughout the development lifecycle.
3. Customizable Workflows: Azure Boards empowers teams to tailor work item
workflows to their specific project needs and processes. By defining custom fields,
transitions, and triggers, teams can streamline their workflows and optimize their
project management approach.
4. Reporting and Analytics: Azure Boards provides comprehensive reporting and
analytics capabilities, enabling teams to gain insights into project progress, team
performance, and code quality. Dashboards, burndown charts, velocity tracking, and
defect management reports are essential tools for informed decision-making.
A team is developing a new e-commerce website. Azure Boards helps them organize and
manage the project effectively:
1. User Stories: Each feature of the website is represented as a user story, capturing the
desired functionality from the user's perspective.
2. Tasks: User stories are broken down into smaller, actionable tasks, assigning specific
tasks to team members and setting deadlines.
3. Bugs: Any issues or defects identified during development are documented as bugs,
allowing for prioritization and resolution.
4. Backlogs: Work items are organized into backlogs, providing a prioritized list of tasks
for each sprint or development phase.
5. Sprint Planning: The team uses sprint planning boards to collaboratively plan and
allocate tasks for each sprint, ensuring alignment and focus.
6. Reporting: Progress is tracked using burndown charts, and velocity is monitored to
forecast future work potential. Defect management reports identify areas for
improvement.
Azure Boards serves as the backbone of project management in Azure DevOps, providing a
structured and flexible environment for teams to plan, track, and deliver software efficiently.
Its comprehensive set of features and adaptability make it a valuable tool for managing
projects of all sizes and complexities.
Explain application life cycle with its phases? [6]
The application lifecycle (ALC) encompasses the entire process of creating, deploying,
maintaining, and eventually retiring software applications. It's a continuous journey that
involves various phases, each with its own set of goals, challenges, and activities. Let's
break down the ALC into its distinct stages:
● Objective: Ensure the application meets quality standards and functions as intended.
● Key Activities:
○ Conduct unit testing, integration testing, and system testing
○ Identify and fix bugs and defects
○ Perform performance and load testing
● Objective: Plan, execute, and monitor the deployment of new application versions.
● Key Activities:
○ Develop deployment plans and scripts
○ Deploy application to production environments
○ Monitor application performance and stability
● Objective: Plan and execute the removal of the application from production.
● Key Activities:
○ Archive application data and documentation
○ Notify users of application retirement
○ Remove application from production environments
Conclusion:
The application lifecycle provides a structured framework for managing the entire lifecycle of
software applications. By understanding and implementing effective ALC practices,
organizations can deliver high-quality software, reduce costs, and maximize the value of
their applications throughout their lifespan.
Explain any four metrics used for developer practices? [6]
Metrics play a crucial role in evaluating developer practices and assessing the health of a
software project. Here are four key metrics commonly used:
Code Churn measures the frequency and extent of changes made to the codebase over
time, quantifying the amount of code added, modified, or deleted. High code churn can
indicate areas of instability or require additional testing and review.
Formula: Code Churn = Lines of Code Added + Lines of Code Modified + Lines of Code
Deleted
Code review metrics evaluate the effectiveness of the code review process, where team
members review each other's code for quality and correctness. Key metrics include:
Technical debt represents the work that needs to be done in the future due to compromises
made during development. Metrics to track technical debt include:
Code coverage measures the percentage of code that is executed by automated tests,
indicating how thoroughly the codebase is tested. Key metrics include:
By carefully evaluating these metrics, development teams can gain valuable insights into
their practices, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions to enhance the
overall quality and efficiency of their software development process.
List any four examples of reports for metrics in agile projects? [5]
Agile projects rely on various reports to track and communicate key metrics that provide
insights into the project's progress, performance, and overall health. These reports help
teams and stakeholders stay informed, identify potential issues, and make data-driven
decisions.
1. Burndown Chart: Visualizes progress in completing tasks or user stories over time,
helping identify if work is on track or requires adjustments.
2. Velocity Chart: Displays the amount of work completed in each sprint (iteration),
enabling teams to predict future capacity and set realistic expectations for
stakeholders.
3. Cumulative Flow Diagram (CFD): Provides a visual representation of work items
moving through different stages of the development process, helping identify
bottlenecks and optimize workflow efficiency.
4. Release Burndown Chart: Tracks the completion of work across multiple sprints
within a release or project, allowing stakeholders to monitor progress toward the
release goal and make informed decisions.
1. Transparency: Ensure reports provide clear and transparent information about the
project's status for both the team and stakeholders.
2. Adaptability: Adapt reports and metrics based on feedback, evolving requirements,
and changing project dynamics.
3. Collaboration: Use reports to encourage collaboration and discussion between teams
and stakeholders for continuous improvement.
4. Focus on Value: Prioritize metrics that align with project goals and contribute to
delivering value.
By effectively utilizing these reports, Agile teams can enhance visibility, facilitate
communication, and make data-driven decisions to achieve project success.
Feature of Azure DevOps Project Management.[5]
1. Work Item Tracking: Centralized task and work item management for efficient
collaboration and visibility.
2. Agile Planning Tools: Flexible planning and backlog management for iterative
development and adapting to changing requirements.
3. Kanban Boards: Visualize work flow, track progress, and support continuous delivery
using Kanban boards.
4. Backlogs: Prioritize and manage work items effectively using backlogs for product,
sprint, or other project-specific needs.
5. Release Management: Streamlined release process with automated deployments,
monitoring, and a consistent release cycle.
6. Dashboards and Reporting: Data-driven decision-making through customizable
dashboards and reports for project insights and bottleneck identification.
7. Integration with Version Control: Seamless integration with Git or TFVC, maintaining
traceability between code changes and work items.
8. Azure Boards Mobile App: Remote access to work items, boards, and sprints for
collaboration and staying updated from mobile devices.
9. Customization and Extensions: High customization with user-defined work item
types, fields, and workflows, and a vast marketplace for extending functionality.
10. Security and Compliance: Robust security features, access controls, audit logs, and
compliance with industry standards to ensure data security, traceability, and regulatory
adherence.
Azure DevOps and TFS, the evolution of Team Foundation Server, empower teams to
effectively implement Agile methodologies and practices throughout the software
development lifecycle. These platforms provide a comprehensive set of tools and features
that align with Agile principles, allowing teams to plan, track, and deliver software iteratively
and efficiently.
1. Work Item Tracking: Manage and track work items like user stories, tasks, bugs, and
custom types, providing a centralized location for planning and prioritizing work across
the development cycle.
2. Agile Planning Tools: Utilize backlogs, sprint planning boards, task boards, and
burndown charts to facilitate iterative planning, track progress, and adapt to changing
requirements.
3. Kanban Boards: Visualize work flow and track progress using Kanban boards,
supporting continuous delivery and identifying bottlenecks.
4. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): Automate the build, test,
and deployment processes to ensure rapid and reliable software delivery.
5. Integration with Version Control: Seamlessly integrate with version control systems
like Git or TFVC, maintaining traceability between code changes and work items.
6. Release Management: Plan, track, and control software releases, ensuring a smooth
and coordinated delivery process.
● Data-Driven Decision Making: Make informed decisions based on real-time data and
insights from Agile reporting tools.
Conclusion:
Azure DevOps and TFS provide a powerful foundation for Agile Project Management,
enabling teams to deliver high-quality software iteratively, efficiently, and aligned with Agile
principles. By leveraging these platforms, teams can enhance collaboration, streamline
workflows, and achieve project success in today's dynamic software development
landscape.
Azure DevOps Server provides comprehensive support for a variety of Agile methodologies,
empowering teams to choose the approach that best suits their project's needs and
preferences.
1. Scrum: Azure DevOps Server offers a complete set of tools and features specifically
tailored for Scrum, enabling teams to effectively implement Scrum practices, including
sprints, backlog management, and daily stand-up meetings.
2. Kanban: Azure DevOps Server seamlessly supports Kanban methodology, providing
Kanban boards, visual workflow management, and WIP (Work in Progress) limits to
optimize flow and reduce bottlenecks.
3. Lean Development: Azure DevOps Server aligns with Lean principles, enabling
teams to focus on value delivery, eliminate waste, and continuously improve their
development processes.
4. Extreme Programming (XP): Azure DevOps Server supports XP practices, including
collective code ownership, continuous integration, and test-driven development, to
enhance software quality and collaboration.
5. Hybrid Methodologies: Azure DevOps Server's flexibility allows teams to combine
elements from different Agile methodologies, creating a customized approach that fits
their specific requirements and project context.
Conclusion:
Azure DevOps Server emerges as a versatile toolkit for implementing Agile project
practices, supporting a range of methodologies, including Scrum, Kanban, Lean
Development, XP, and hybrid approaches. By leveraging its comprehensive features and
adaptability, teams can effectively manage Agile projects, enhance collaboration, and
achieve continuous improvement in software development.
Describe in brief application lifecycle management. [6]
Benefits of ALM:
1. Improved Quality and Reliability: ALM practices help ensure that applications are
well-designed, tested, and maintained, leading to higher quality and reliability.
2. Reduced Costs and Risks: ALM helps identify and mitigate risks early in the
development cycle, reducing costs and preventing costly delays or failures.
3. Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: ALM fosters collaboration among
different stakeholders, improving communication and alignment throughout the
lifecycle.
4. Increased Agility and Adaptability: ALM enables organizations to adapt to changing
requirements and market conditions more effectively.
5. Extended Application Lifetime: ALM helps organizations maximize the value and
longevity of their applications.
1. Agile Methodologies: Scrum, Kanban, and Lean Development are popular Agile
methodologies that emphasize iterative development, continuous feedback, and
adaptability.
2. DevOps: DevOps bridges the gap between development and operations teams,
enabling faster and more reliable software delivery.
3. Version Control Systems: Git and Mercurial are widely used version control systems
that track changes in code and enable collaboration.
4. Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD): CI/CD automates the
build, test, and deployment processes, enabling rapid and reliable software delivery.
5. Application Performance Management (APM): APM tools provide insights into
application performance, helping identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.
Conclusion:
1. Tailored Project Management: Adapt the process template to fit the specific needs
and preferences of your project and team.
2. Enhanced Workflow Efficiency: Streamline workflows by adjusting work item types,
fields, and workflows to align with your project's unique processes.
3. Improved Team Collaboration: Facilitate effective collaboration by tailoring the
process template to support your team's communication and coordination practices.
4. Organizational Standardization: Establish consistent project management practices
across multiple projects by customizing a process template for organizational use.
Conclusion:
Dashboards and reporting are essential tools for gaining insights into project progress, team
performance, and code quality in Azure DevOps. Customizable dashboards allow teams to
visualize key metrics and trends using charts, graphs, and other visual elements. Reporting
tools enable teams to generate detailed reports on specific aspects of the development
lifecycle, such as build history, test results, and deployment statistics.
Benefits:
Examples:
Alerts and notifications play a crucial role in proactive issue detection and resolution in
Azure DevOps. Customizable alerts can be configured to notify team members of critical
events, such as build failures, test errors, or deployment issues. This real-time feedback
enables teams to address problems promptly and prevent costly delays.
Benefits:
Examples:
Benefits:
Examples:
In general, Azure DevOps is a more modern and cloud-based solution that offers several advantages
over Microsoft TFS, including greater scalability, availability, and collaboration features.
However, Microsoft TFS may still be a good option for organizations that require on-premises
deployment or have existing investments in TFS infrastructure.
Microsoft TFS: Installed and managed on-premises servers. Requires upfront investment in hardware
and software licenses.
Azure DevOps: Cloud-based solution hosted by Microsoft. No need to install or manage servers.
Subscription-based pricing model.
Scalability:
Microsoft TFS: Scalability is limited by the hardware resources of the on-premises servers.
Azure DevOps: Highly scalable cloud-based solution that can easily accommodate growing needs.
Cost:
Microsoft TFS: Requires upfront investment in hardware and software licenses. Ongoing
maintenance costs for hardware, software, and updates.
Azure DevOps: Subscription-based pricing model with predictable costs. No upfront investment in
hardware or software.
Upgrades:
Microsoft TFS: Manual updates required, which can be time-consuming and complex.
Azure DevOps: Automatic updates ensure that users are always on the latest version of the platform.
Availability:
Azure DevOps: Highly available and resilient cloud-based solution with 99.9% uptime commitment.
Access:
Azure DevOps: Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote access and
collaboration.
Integration:
Azure DevOps: Extensive integrations with Azure services, including Azure Pipelines, Azure Repos,
and Azure Boards.
User Interface:
Collaboration:
Microsoft TFS: Limited collaboration features, such as email notifications and task management.
Azure DevOps: Rich collaboration features, including chat, video conferencing, wikis, and Kanban
boards.
Conclusion:
The choice between Microsoft TFS and Azure DevOps depends on the specific needs and
requirements of the organization. However, Azure DevOps is a more modern and cloud-based
solution that offers several advantages over TFS, making it a compelling choice for organizations that
are looking for a scalable, available, and collaborative platform for their software development and
management needs.
Explain Agile Proect Management with Azure[8]
In the dynamic world of software development, Agile project management has emerged as a
preferred approach for delivering high-quality software solutions in a timely and responsive manner.
Azure DevOps, a comprehensive suite of cloud-based tools from Microsoft, seamlessly integrates
with Agile methodologies, empowering teams to embrace flexibility, collaboration, and continuous
improvement throughout the software development lifecycle.
1. Iterative and Incremental Development: Break down the project into smaller iterations, delivering
working software increments at the end of each iteration.
2. Continuous User Feedback: Gather and incorporate user feedback throughout the project to
ensure the software meets the needs of its users.
3. Adaptive Planning: Adapt plans and priorities as the project progresses to respond to changing
requirements and insights.
4. Empowered Teams: Create self-organizing, cross-functional teams with the authority and skills to
make decisions and deliver value.
Enhanced Agility: Azure DevOps facilitates rapid iteration and feedback cycles, enabling teams to
adapt to change and deliver value quickly.
Improved Collaboration: Azure DevOps provides a central platform for teams to collaborate
effectively, share knowledge, and track progress.
Streamlined Workflow: Azure DevOps automates many repetitive tasks, freeing up time for teams to
focus on value-adding activities.
Data-Driven Insights: Azure DevOps provides real-time data and analytics to help teams make
informed decisions and improve performance.
How Azure DevOps Supports Agile Project Management:
1. Azure Boards: Visualize and manage project backlogs, tasks, and iterations using Kanban boards
and Scrum boards.
2. Azure Pipelines: Automate and manage build, test, and deployment pipelines for continuous
integration and delivery (CI/CD).
3. Azure Repos: Store, manage, and collaborate on code using Git repositories.
4. Azure Artifacts: Manage and share artifacts, such as packages and binaries, across teams and
projects.
5. Azure Test Plans: Plan, execute, and manage automated and manual testing activities.
6. Azure DevOps Wiki: Create and collaborate on wikis to share knowledge and documentation.
Conclusion:
Agile Project Management with Azure empowers software teams to embrace the Agile principles of
flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Azure DevOps provides a comprehensive suite
of cloud-based tools that seamlessly integrate with Agile methodologies, enabling teams to deliver
high-quality software solutions efficiently and effectively. By leveraging Azure DevOps to support
Agile project management practices, organizations can achieve greater responsiveness, adaptability,
and overall project success.