I released another new extension to the Visual Studio Gallery again today called Work Item Visualizer for TFS 2010. I've only heard positive things about it so far, hopefully it stays that way :) Basically, it creates a diagram of all work items linked to a work item ID which the user specifies in a search box. This extension was coded using DGML (the same graph rendering language used for the Visual Studio 2010 Architecture Tools). It was pretty cool getting a chance to create something using some of the newest technology out there. Well, I just wanted to throw a blog up to get the word out on it a little more. If you're using Visual Studio 2010 with Team Foundation Server 2010, feel free to check it out! Thanks everyone.

Download Link: http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/a35b6010-750b-47f6-a7a5-41f0fa7294d2

What it does:

·         Creates a DGML graph to visualize linked TFS Work Items by entering a Work Item ID in the toolbar search box

How it benefits you:

·         Allows you to easily analyze the hierarchy of your TFS Work Items

·         Gain the ability to perform basic risk/impact analysis when creating or editing Work Items

·         Great for meetings in the case that you need to discuss the entire scope of linked Work Items

·         Easier project planning

·         Eliminates the need to create TFS queries or reports to view tree of Work Items

·         Easily lets you see the entire tree of work items linked to the one you’re working on

Navigation Tips:

·         Use Ctrl + Mouse Wheel Scroll to zoom in and out

·         Use Ctrl + Left Mouse click (and hold) to move document around

·         Right click on DGML area for more options (Like copy image or viewing in groups)

·         Clicking on each node highlights that node and the links connected to it

·         Colors in the legend can be changed

·         When work item nodes are deleted, the view is automatically updated

·         Double clicking on work item node will open up the Work Items URL

Try it out on work items that have several of links and let us know what you think. A big thanks goes out to everyone working on the http://visualization.codeplex.com/ project for publishing the source code on CodePlex which really helped me learn how DGML (Directed Graph Markup Language - New to Visual Studio 2010 Architecture Tools) works!

 - Mike