TFS Workbench

(Please note: This information is in the process of being updated to reflect the new features of version 2.1 and the new product name: TFS Workbench)

The TFS Workbench (formally known as Scrum Masters Workbench) application offers an alternative interactive interface to TFS projects, including a Task Board, Item List, Hierarchy and Project Setup modes.

Using this tool you can control your TFS project work item data via drag drop gestures and view the work items through a rich interface. The workbench application is installed to the desktop and communicates with the remote TFS projects.

The workbench application allows you to interact with TFS work items and their related sub work items. The work item relationships are described as views and each view details a work item parent type, linkage type and work item child type.

The application core concept is that of work item relationships, which are described as views. A view details the relationship between a parent and child work item type, using a specific linkage type. Connecting to a team project creates a default set of views. You are also free to create your own views to describe the information relevant to you. This unique flexibility makes the workbench application one of the most powerful ways to manage your TFS team projects.

The workbench application includes native support for projects created using:

• Scrum for Team System v2 (TFS 2008)
• Scrum for Team System v3 (TFS 2010)
• MSF Agile v5.0 (TFS 2010)
• MSF Agile v4.2 (TFS 2008)
• CMMI v5.0 (TFS 2010)
• CMMI v4.2 (TFS 2008)
• Microsoft Visual Studio Scrum 1.0 (TFS 2010)

Web casts:

Interface Overview:

The workbench supports multiple modes. Each mode gives you an alternative view of the project data.

• Main Menu:
  The application main menu lists the actions available within the application.
  • File - Interact with team projects:
    • Load Project - Load a new project workspace.
    • Save project - Save all work item changes and project layout.
    • Close Project - Close and release all workspace data.
    • Refresh Project Data - Reload all work item data from TFS.
    • Reset Project Layout - Reset the project layout to the default settings.
    • Exit - Close the application.
      
      
  • Settings - Control the the loaded project configuration settings.
    • Item Context Options - Set the work item context and duplication fields.
    • Use Team Explorer Edit Panel - Toggle the type of edit panel used.
    • Add View - Add a new work item relationship view.
    • Edit View - Edit an existing work item relationship view.
    • Delete View - Delete an existing work item relationship view.
      
      
  • View - Select options for the loaded application modes.
    • Search - Display the search dialog (shortcut [Ctrl] + F)
    • Clear Highlights - Remove the current world item highlights (shortcut [Ctrl] + [Shift] + Z)
    • Close All Dialogs - Closes all open dialog panels (shortcut [Ctrl] + [Shift] + D)
    • Options for the loaded display modes.
      
       
  • Toos - Options for the loaded plug-in tools.
    
     
  • Help - For information about the application version and links to the on line guidance page.
    
    
• Display Mode Selectors:
  Choose the active application mode.
  
  
• Selected Workspace Information:
  Details the current selected loaded iteration path. Mouse over for full workspace details.
  
  
• Selected Mode Display Area:
  Show the interface for the selected application mode.
  
  
• Applciaiton Status:
  Application status messages are displayed here.
  
  
• Plug-in Tool Selectors:
  Icons that control the behaviour of the plug-in tools. For more information on plug-in tools, see the corresponding sub page.