updating a process template with new or changed work item types and queries

Question

Any TFS admin gurus out there? I would love to find and easy way to update the company TFS process template with the changes I've made to my team project work item types and queries. I downloaded the process template files and deleted the query and work item type files that no loger belong in the template. I'd like to get the new work item type and query definition files downloaded so I can add them to the process template folders and then upload the updated process template folder back to the server under a new version name. is this the right and or best way to do this? i exported my new and revised .wit files from the team explorer interface but that doesn't download the .wiq query definition files or the .wit.diagram files. seems like there should be a way to make a new or updated template out of a current project that you have added or improved process on.

Answer 1

Hello,

You are on the right track. Beside deleting/adding new work item types and queries, you would also have to update the workitems.xml file (in the WorkItem Tracking folder). You can export the work item definition (.xml files) using the witexport utility from your project and the queries directly from Team Explorer (just save them as .wiq files). You do not need the .diagram files in the template.

You should also change the Template Name (ProcessTemplate.xml) just to make sure there is no confusion later.
Once you have all these changes done, just upload them - it will create a new template with the new name.


Feel free to contact me offline (follow the link to my website below) if you need more assistance.

Thanks,
Alin,
PRAKTIK Consulting
TFS Hosting and TFS Consulting Services.