50229: Understanding the Microsoft Solutions Framework

About this Course

This two-day instructor-led course at Solartech provides students with the knowledge and skills to utilize the Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF) in their development projects. This course focuses on the business need for MSF, and how MSF concepts can be utilized to increase organizational efficiency. This course also introduces the student to Visual Studio Team System and Team Foundation Server which are used throughout the course to reinforce the concepts of the course.

Audience Profile

This course is intended for intermediate and experienced programmers with a minimum of one year of programming experience utilizing Microsoft development tools. This course is also well suited for Technology-Influencing Business Decision Makers (TI-BDMs).

At Course Completion

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the Microsoft Solutions Framework.
• Map the Microsoft Solutions Framework into business needs.
• Apply Microsoft Solutions Framework techniques to software development challenges.
• Effectively utilize Visual Studio Team System to implement a project based on the Microsoft Solutions Framework.
• Utilize Team Foundation Server to track and manage development projects.

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Familiarity with various agile software development methodologies such as Scrum, Paired Programming, and eXtreme Programming, as well as traditional waterfall methodologies
• Familiarity with the Microsoft .NET Framework

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to the Microsoft Solutions Framework

This module explains the Microsoft Solutions Framework and the various business drivers that affect software development projects.

Lessons

• The IT Challenges Faced by Business Today
• Continuous Improvement – How Businesses Cope
• Software Development in An Ever-Changing World
• Introduction to the Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF)
• How MSF is Used to Assist Businesses
• Introduction to the MSF Team Model
• Introduction to the MSF Governance Model
• The MSF Roles
• The MSF Phases
• Project Management Using MSF
• Aligning MSF with the Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF)

Lab : Understanding MSF

• Introduction to the Visual Studio Team System MSF for Agile Project Template
• Introduction to the Visual Studio Team System MSF for CMMI Project template

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe the Microsoft Solutions Framework.
• Describe the Visual Studio Team System MSF for Agile Template.
• Describe the Visual Studio Team System MSF for CMMI Template.

Module 2: Managing Project Risk

This module explains how the MSF can be used to identify and manage risks associated with project development. This module introduces the concept of the MSF Risk Management Disciple and explains the various tasks associated with identifying and responding to project risks.

Lessons

• Understanding Risk Management As It Applies to MSF
• Identifying Project Risk Items
• Understanding How Risk Levels Apply to Work Items
• Understanding the Role Risk Management Plays in Overall Project Management

Lab : Understanding the MSF Team Model

• Class Exercise: Discussing Risk Items
• Exploring the MSF Work streams
• Applying Risk Management Concepts to Work Item Tracking and Reporting

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define the Risk Management concepts ingrained in MSF.
• Identify high-risk work items.
• Apply MSF concepts to help identify and respond to project risks.

Module 3: The MSF Team Model

This module explains how the MSF Team Model can be used in Agile development projects to improve project estimation and product quality. This module also discusses the various issues faced when building a project team that will utilize the MSF Team Module.

Lessons

• Understanding the Challenges Faced by Agile Project Development
• Using the MSF Principles to Build an Effective Team
• Understanding the MSF Team Concept
• Defining the MSF Team Roles
• Understanding Function Versus Feature Teams
• Identifying Team Scale Challenges
• Identifying Team Member Responsibilities

Lab : Understanding the MSF Team Model

• Class Exercise: Building an MSF Team
• Exploring the MSF Team Process Guidance
• Class Exercise: Assigning Team Member Responsibilities

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define MSF Team roles and responsibilities.
• Identify team scalability challenges.
• Build an effective team by using the MSF Team Model.

Module 4: The MSF Governance Model

This module explains how the MSF Governance Model can be used in development projects to improve project estimation and product quality. This module also discusses the various issues faced when building a project team that will utilize the MSF Governance Module.

Lessons

• Understanding the Governance Cycle
• Separating Operational Management from Project Governance
• Understand Project Phases Within the Governance Model
• Understand Project Cycles Within the Governance Model
• Understanding Project Roles with the Governance Model
• Identifying Team Scale challenges
• Identifying Team Member Responsibilities

Lab : Understanding the MSF Governance Model

• Class Exercise: Applying Governance to Project Teams
• Exploring the MSF Governance Process Guidance
• Class Exercise: Assigning Team Member Responsibilities

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define MSF Team roles and responsibilities.
• Identify team scalability challenges.
• Build an effective team by using the MSF Team Model.

Module 5: MSF Work Items

This module explains the various work items that are associated with MSF projects.

Lessons

• Understanding the Task Work Item
• Understanding the Change Request Work Item
• Understanding the Risk Work Item
• Understanding the Review Work Item
• Understanding the Requirement Work Item
• Understanding the Bug Work Item
• Understanding the Issue Work Item
• Understanding the Scenario Work Item
• Understanding the Quality of Service Requirement Work Item

Lab : Understanding Work Items

• Exploring Work Items

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define Workitems used in the MSF Process Guidance.

Module 6: Workstreams within MSF

This module explains how Work Items interact and form Workstreams. This module also explains the various state transitions in MSF Project Workflows.

Lessons

• Introduction to MSF Workstreams
• Defining the Roles Needed to Implement Workstreams
• Mapping Work Items to Workstreams

Lab : Exploring Workstreams

• Exploring Work Item State Transitions
• Exploring the MSF Guidance for Workstreams

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Define how Workstreams are used to implement logical state transitions within project work items.