Bug Tracking integration with MS Project Server

[JZapin]

Does anyone know of a Bug Tracking product that SEAMLESSLY integrates
with MS Project Server? Ideally, I would like this product to replace
the "Task" tab in Microsoft Project Web Acess and have it manage taks,
correspondences, etc.

I would like all of the data to flow back into project.

Let me know.

Thanks.

JZ

 

[JackD]

While you could sort of do this. I do not think it is ideal.
Why not use one of the real bug tracking tools?

-Jack

 

[JZapin]

It's a great point but we want to be able to track tasks/time on a
day-to-day basis. That often means, especially when you are in
Production/Implementation phases, a lot of minute tasks that need to
managed at a very fine level. Essentially, we want all of the
work/notes/documents to roll up into a task within a project plan.
That is why having a bug tracking system that rolls up into MS project
would be ideal.

Another way of looking at it is that we need a more minute task
manager than what is integrated in MS Project Web Access. Something
that can handle lots of small (even a few hours long) tasks.

Let me know if anyone has any thoughts.

JZ

 

[Rob Schneider]

Like Jack, my hunch is that you should use one of the real bug tracking
tools. There are many fine products available at costs ranging from
zero to more than that.

Why do you need all this "minute" detail in a project plan? What are
you trying to achieve? What happens if this "minute" tasks are not
"managed" in this way?

I can see, potentially, value in doing some sort of query on the bug
tracking db to track status/forecast of fixing the flaws that could be a
"few" (or one) line in a project plan in Project; but for beyond that I
guess I'd need to know more of your objectives before believing that you
shouldn't be using a tool more fit for your purpose.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms

 

[JZapin]

Here's my big problem with MS Project Web Access and why I'm thinking of
using a Bugtracking program: Updating tasks is VERY cumbersome. In order to
update a task, with documents you have to:
1) Update the notes
2) Put an attachment within another screen
3) Click the update button to let the PM know that a change has been made
Then the PM has to go to his/updates and review/approve them.

It's very time consuming. All I really want to do is have a central
location where me and my team can share tasks. So, for example, if I assign
my task to one of my team members and I need to add/update a deliverable, I
can't just add it to the list and have my team member get an email that the
attachment has been added.

My experience with Bugzilla (and other Bug Tracking apps) is that this type
of collaboration is much simpler, quicker, easier.

Really, what I'm talking about is a much more robust way of managing tasks
than what is given by MS with Project Server Web Access.

Maybe the group can steer my in a different direction?

I appreciate any thoughts people might have.

Thanks.

JZ

 

[Rob Schneider]

Bigzilla is good. It's fit for your purpose. That was the "free" one I
was thinking of. Not sure why you are beating this issue. Project
doesn't feel like the right tool for you and you are just confirming
that. What else do you want to know? Is someone requiring you to use
Project for this? What's the real problem?

 

[JZapin]

We want to use Project to get the "Executive" level view of:
1) Resource Allocation
2) Projects/Portfolios

The thought is that we can use MS Project to create the framework of the
project but use Bugzilla (or something like it) to manage the day-to-day
tasks INCLUDING:
1) time management (resources enter time into BUGZILLA then have it uploaded
into Project so we can get a better understanding of workload)
2) workflow (use Bugzilla as the respository for a task)

So, I agree that Bugzilla is good, but I need it to tie into a Project for
the "higher" level view.

Any other thoughts?

JZ

 

[Rob Schneider]

Ah. That makes sense to me as a need. While I haven't integrated
Bugzilla and Project, a while back the thought did occur to me, but the
potential need went away. Thinking that surely this has been done
somewhere, I found a few interesting articles via Google search for
"bugzilla microsoft project". See
http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20031120/hansen_01.shtml (free
registaration for this CMP Media site is required). The article
explains how the games developer Funcom used Bugzilla and Project. Lots
of interesting reading there. I'm going to print off and read later
today, but see for yourself now.

I guess the only comment I would make about your thoughts would be that
it would be my hunch that Bugzilla would be better for workflow
management, but use Project for analysis/executive view.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms

 

[JZapin]

Thanks for the comments/advice.

RE: The Funcom article, I've read it extensively. Funcom did some really
great things with Bugzilla albeit they just used Project to analyze things:
Not to actively track/plan. Also, they didn't use Project Server: They
used the standalone version of Project.

Still, it's a step in the right direction. Not to mention, their mods are
very close to what my team needs.

Let me know if your thoughts.

JZ