TFS and Project Server Integration

Here’s a typical scenario: The Project Management Office (PMO) has standardized on Project Server (PS) for project and portfolio management while the development teams are using Team Foundation Server to manage development projects. Now while each is using a central repository for artifacts, wouldn’t it be nice if they could talk to one another? Enter the Visual Studio Team Foundation Server and Microsoft Project Server Integration Feature Pack.

What is the TFS and PS Integration Feature Pack?

This feature pack provides bi-directional data synchronization between TFS and PS by linking tasks and work items. By installing TFS 2010 and the PS integration feature pack, project managers can use PS to access up-to-date project status and resource availability across agile and formal software teams who work in TFS. This integration enables data to flow from work items in Team Foundation Server to tasks in enterprise project plans in PS. With this feature pack, project managers and software development teams can use the tools that they prefer, work at the level of precision that supports their needs, and share information transparently. After the two server products are configured, the synchronization engine maintains scheduling data and resource usage for the configured data in the mapped enterprise project plan and team project.

FAQs

Q. What MSDN subscription level is required to download the Feature Pack?

A. An organization must own at least one license of Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate with MSDN. With that one license, the software can be downloaded and installed and then all users with access to either the Project Server or the Team Foundation Server that are connected can benefit from the integration. 

Q. How does this Feature Pack differ from the out-of-the-box Team Foundation Server and Microsoft Project add-in?

A. The Microsoft Project add-in allows project managers to use Microsoft Project to connect to Team Foundation Server to collaborate and participate in the planning and execution of software development projects. The Feature Pack enables integration between Team Foundation Server and Project Server and allows planning and status information to be synchronized between the two systems. Please read the article “Operational Differences” in Managing Projects Using Team Foundation and Project for more information.

Q. Are there any prerequisites or dependencies for this Feature Pack?

A. Dependencies are:

  • Team Foundation Server 2010 + Service Pack 1 (SP1)
  • Visual Studio 2010 + SP1
  • Project Server 2010 or 2007

Q. Where can I learn more about Microsoft Project Server 2010?

A. A great starting point is the official product page which contains product information, white papers, videos and customer successes.

Q. Is there a demo virtual machine (VM) with this feature pack and sample data I can use?

A. This virtual machine demonstrates the integration of Team Foundation Sever 2010 with Project Server 2010. Included with this download are four walkthroughs that demonstrate using enterprise project plans in Project Server associated with team projects in Team Foundation Server.

Resources

Team Foundation Server on MSDN

Project Server 2010 Showcase

Developer Center for Project Server on MSDN

ALM Project and Process Management