azure-devopscustomizationtfs-workitem

Azure Devops Server 2022 - Adding a pick-list of users to a work item type

We are using on-prem Devops Server 2022. This is a system that has been regularly upgraded since first implemented as TFS 2010.

We wish to modify the "Feature" work item type to include a pick-list of users. This field will represent the "Business Owner" of the feature and it will be a reportable field.

However, there does not appear to be a way to add a field for picking a user without stepping on an existing field. For instance, there are these existing System fields:

What I need is a generic system user list that I can assign to the field via pick list.

Any ideas on how to do this?

Solution

  • Yes, we have the XML process model due to the age of our system.

    For the user pick list, I wanted the list of DevOps valid users, not a custom hard-coded list in the GlobalList.

    After experimenting and breaking some things in my non-production Azure DevOps, I found what to do.

    To start, the many resources online are good general references, but of little specific help for adding fields. I found no reference to the list and purpose of XML attributes for work item types.

    After exporting the work item XML, I added a new field at the top using an existing user field as a pattern. The key is specifying a refname for the field. In my case, I simply used the collection name and the field name. For example: refname="DefaultCollection.BusinessOwner"

    The complete field definition is:

    <FIELD name="Business Owner" refname="DefaultCollction.BusinessOwner" type="String" syncnamechanges="true" reportable="dimension">
    <HELPTEXT>This is the Business Sponsor most responsible for success of the project.</HELPTEXT>
    <ALLOWEXISTINGVALUE />
    <VALIDUSER />
  </FIELD>

    The attribute that allows using DevOps users for the picklist is <VALIDUSER />

    I wanted this field to appear in web form with the Planning and Classification groups and to include a descriptive label. Down in the <WebLayout> section of the XML, I added a new Group block above the Planning and Classification group blocks:

    <Group Label="Business Owner">
    <Control Type="LabelControl" Name="DefaultCollction.BusinessOwnerLabel" >
        <LabelText>
            <Text>Business Owner is the sponsor or resource planning designate for the project or feature.</Text>
        </LabelText>
    </Control>
    <Control Type="FieldControl" FieldName="DefaultCollction.BusinessOwner" />
</Group>

    After importing the revised WIT XML, the new field appeared as I wanted it. And it's reportable - I can select this field in queries and backlogs.

    Revised Feature Work Item with new Business User field