Customization and configuration in VS ALM

With Visual Studio ALM and TFS, you gain access to a wealth of tools, many of which you configure or can customize. Common areas that team's customize include team alerts, team home page, shared queries, and test platforms. For on-premises deployments, you can also add fields, customize work item types (WITs), and Agile planning tools. 

Below you'll find links to topics that show you how to configure or customize areas related to version control, build, work tracking, and testing using TFS.

Version control and build

You can manage source code using Team Foundation version control (TFVC) or Git.  Here is a view into the areas you can configure when working with source code and builds.  Go here for details on the differences between TFVC and Git. 

	Code - TFVC Set up local or server workspaces Branch and merge source code Associate a file type with a third-party compare tool Subscribe to alerts when check-ins occur Set check-in and check-out policies Restrict access/set permissions	Code - Git Set up local or remote repositories Branch, merge, and publish code  Get notified when commits are pushed  Restrict access/set permissions
	Build Build process  Build definitions Gated check-in builds (TFVC)  Continuous integration builds  Build numbers Build notification email alerts Build quality values Restrict access/set permissions

Work 

Teams track plans and work using work items. You can add fields, change workflow, and add information to forms by customizing WITs. Teams can customize many elements that support their collaboration, as well as being able to customize the Agile planning tools and experience.   Items marked with an asterisk (*) are available only with TFS on-premises deployments.

	Teams Add a team , setup team hierarchies Add team members Schedule team sprints Configure team room events Specify team alerts Set team admin permissions Create work item templates	Agile planning tools Customize the Kanban board Change the backlog or task board (*) Quick add panel  Default backlog columns  Weekend days  Max # of work items on the task board Color of work item types Change a field used in a chart or tool Map workflow states to metastates Add work item types to a backlog (*) Add portfolio backlogs (*) Use a team field to support teams (*)
	Work item fields Modify a field or add a custom field (*) Customize a pick list Add rules to a field Add a custom field Rename a field, Change reporting attributes Synchronize a person name field Add custom controls to a field Add a field that supports integration with test, build, or version control Add or change how Project fields map to TFS fields (*) Queries, filters, and reports Define queries Add tags View progress charts Create Excel reports from a work item query (*) Customize a report (SQL Server Reporting Services) (*)	Work item types Modify or add a custom work item type (*) Customize the states, reasons, or transitions of a workflow Add text, hyperlinks, or web content  to a form Add a new WIT Add or remove a WIT from a backlog or task board Change the color associated with a WIT Rename a WIT Delete a WIT Add custom controls to a WIT Add a WIT to the portfolio backlog (*) Change the maximum attachment size for work items (on-premises only)

Test

With VS, Microsoft Test Manager, and Team Web Access, you can create unit, manual, exploratory, and automated system tests. These tests reference one or more of the test elements as part of their execution.  Items marked with an asterisk (*) are available only with TFS on-premises deployments.

	Test types Manual tests, test plans, and test suites Exploratory tests Automated system tests Unit tests Web performance and load tests System testing Windows store app testing	Test elements Test configurations (test platforms) Test failure types (*) Test resolution states (*) Test settings  Test tool extension (API reference)  Custom code and plug-ins for web performance tests Specify a custom work item type as default bug type (*)
	Lab management Standard lab environments SCVMM (virtual) environments

Several test types use the test case WIT to plan and run tests. You can customize the test case in the same way as you customize other WITs.

Are there other areas that you can customize?  

The short answer is Yes.  Other areas include TFS groups, permission, and process templates. Also, new features, such as Application Insights and Release Management  present additional areas to configure or customize, We'll add information about those areas later. 

What other scenarios would you like to see more content coverage with regard to configuration or customization?

Please add a note in the comments below.