ProjectParty 2008

ProjectPartyTM is a methodological and technological solution that enables end-to-end Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) process in your organization. Projects and large programs are managed by Project Managers (PMs) using Microsoft EPM solution, MS Project 2007 Server, where resources are managed and complex scheduling algorithms are applied.

Software Development is often performed by several small teams, with a set of development and maintenance activities. Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) is the perfect solution for collaborative development teams’ management.

The Challenge

The lack of one unified process or environment that enables a streamlined ALM process. Project Managers and Team Leaders work according to different methodologies and in different environments.

The Solution – ProjectParty (VSTS 2005 Compatible Version)

ProjectPartyTM – 2005 bridges the gap between Project Management and Software Development by connecting MS Project Server 2007 with VSTS 2005 to enable a collaborative, integrated and holistic ALM process.

Solution’s Functionality

• Many-to-Many relationship in project level – one MS Project Gantt can be linked to several VSTS team projects

• Many-to-Many relationship in task level – one task in the Gantt can be split into several Work Items in VSTS

• VSTS Work Items creation in a “push” mode from MS Project

• Progress reports synchronization and aggregation from VSTS, updating MS Project tasks

• Work Items hierarchy & aggregation in VSTS

• Zoom capability – VSTS Work Items details in MS Project Server Maximum compatibility and customizability to fit your organization’s methods, processes and environments

ProjectParty™ in the blogs

Brian Harry – Microsoft Product Unit Manager for Team Foundation Server –wrote in his famous VSTS Blog…” Our team recently reviewed a 3rd party tool called ProjectParty from Orantech. We were impressed with the completeness and apparent quality of the solution. It does a good job of supporting both top down planning through Project Server and bottom up reporting”.
Ameya Bhatawdekar – Visual Studio Team System PM who is responsible for developing the PS to VSTS Connector : “A cool solution, Orantech’s solution is very much in line with MS future solution (“Rosario”)” He also wrote about is in his blog

Screen Shots:

System Architecture

Hierarchy in VSTS