Part 1-Board: "Understanding Work Items, Boards, and Backlog in Azure DevOps"
Tags: devops, azure, cloud, beginners
Published: 2023-11-22 03:00:00

Welcome to our Azure DevOps series! In this journey, we'll embark on a comprehensive exploration of Azure DevOps, a powerful platform designed to streamline the software development lifecycle. To kick off, we'll delve into the heart of project management with Azure DevOps Boards. Our first installment,' Demystifying Azure DevOps Boards: An In-Depth Overview', breaks down into two parts:

Part 1: "Understanding Work Items, Boards, and Backlog in Azure DevOps"
Get ready to gain a deep understanding of the fundamental elements that drive efficient project management on Azure DevOps.

Part 2: "Efficient Sprint Planning and Powerful Queries in Azure DevOps Boards"
Explore advanced techniques for sprint planning and harness the full potential of queries to enhance your project's agility and productivity.

Whether you're new to Azure DevOps or looking to refine your skills, join us for a hands-on journey where theory meets practical application. Let's dive into the world of Azure DevOps together! 🚀"

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**Note: **

When you are doing practical work, don't delete anything because our Azure DevOps series relies on continuity between each part. Ensure that you are not cleaning your workspace. Additionally, don't worry about charges, as our account is on a free trial. We are covering beginners or basic Azure DevOps, so our project is not large. If a bill is generated, it will hardly exceed 100.

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-> Go to the Azure Portal and navigate to "Azure DevOps Service."

![Azure DevOps](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ppqcg839dxljtvof2g57.png)

-> Then choose your organization
 
![Azure DevOps](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nias5t412zzp0amow6yn.png)

-> Then create a 'New Project.' Choose the 'Basic' option, not 'Agile.'

![Azure DevOps](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/dyfrxyeext9rx2y1o2ua.png)

-> Then you will see the default dashboard

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/28oolocvhpusawkye4jr.png)

-> Next, click on 'Boards' to view the default Kanban boards on Azure. Then, click on 'New Item' and add some tasks, assigning them to yourself. Click 'Save.' Additionally, you can provide a description for each task and utilize the discussion option to talk about task-related matters. Don't forget to add tags for easy understanding and searching. As seen below, there is a priority section to define the task's priority, and you can set start and end dates. All of these options are under 'Epic.' Remember, in 'Issues,' some options may not be readily available.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7e786etligudbwrn3fzz.png)

-> Also, if you notice on the left-hand side, there are dropdowns for 'Epic' and 'Issues.' 'Issues' and 'Tasks' are used to track work, while 'Epics' are used to group work under larger scenarios.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jgwa6s3nxx749lhtm9wg.png)

-> You can drag and drop the assigned work depending on their status. In 'Issues,' if you click on 'Add Task,' you can create tasks under that issue by clicking on it. The hierarchy is parent and child tasks. Also, if a task has been completed, you cannot move it to the next section, such as 'Done,' directly. Instead, you need to move the parent task so that the child task is also moved into that section. If you open the task, you can select the 'Activity Type' as Deployment or Design, depending on the model you choose when configuring the project.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/5hcic71yt742459f14o5.png)

-> To generate dummy data, open the following link and click on 'Sign In.' Choose your Azure account.

[Azure DevOps Demo Generator](https://azuredevopsdemogenerator.azurewebsites.net/)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/98m7jyb8xvpngo265lcu.png)

-> Accept or grant permission to the project window and proceed to the next page.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/q5b7e59p70hkly898txl.png)

-> Next, choose a template and select the 1st option, 'Parts Unlimited.' Then, click on 'Select Template,' give the project a name as you prefer, and finally, click on 'Create Project.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/wr96e60wygk03aosxqor.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/06t6s3t90s3nwxwyee61.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/9sir4k3uug4itabgr98k.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0yxt67vddzqd95ds89lv.png)

-> Here, you will see the progress of your creation. If you encounter any errors during the creation process, you can ignore them.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/nh9z32s964f44yjp1cir.png)

-> Go to the 'Azure DevOps' dashboard again, refresh the page, and you will see our project imported. Remember, we are using a free trial account for this.

-> After clicking on 'Parts Unlimited,' which is our imported project...

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xaw5dy8s5o55u1scj9rf.png)

-> Then, in the bottom right corner, you will see the 'Project Settings' option, where we can make some changes. Click on it.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0my0bdbf5hax0d0phpmz.png)

-> In the 'Teams' option, click on 'New Team,' give a name to the team, and create the team.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/36mmv56jx5vil7ydlkz1.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/k2g6ugo1f4btoqphxypv.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/n36edc1bgqgrpbv2npr0.png)

-> Next, click on the new team, and go to the 'Iterations and Area Path' option.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/8abcj1xaygl5dkkjvnhk.png)

-> Then, go to 'Iterations,' scroll down, and select 'Iteration' as 'Sprint1.' This ensures that the team we created in the last step is also using the same sprint as other teams. Finally, click on 'Save.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ireot0pwjvgje13dvi4g.png)

-> Next, go to 'Overview,' and in the 'Dashboard' option, you will see the overall project status, including various metrics.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bb075hqxgrzvmp7i6exx.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6li1nk57oaxekooapzgt.png)

-> In the same dashboard, in the right-bottom corner, click on 'New Work Item.' Give a name for that item and click on 'Create.' The work item is an 'Epic' for demonstration purposes.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6zqivwg504riv44bpw0j.png)

-> After hitting the 'Create' button, a page will open where you can make changes. Modify the area, and iteration, and add a feature sprint if necessary. Keep the other settings as they are.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/zfu382oukbsi8vyvjtxw.png)

-> Now, go to 'Boards,' and under 'Work Items,' you will see that your 'work item' has been created.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ae8zno16cj8bizmeh6tw.png)

-> After that, click on that work item to create some child work items. Open it, and on the bottom-left side, you will see the 'Add link' option. Choose 'New' in that option.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4k41a21ks07y8gs5io1j.png)

-> Select the work item type as 'Feature,' give a name to that child process, and save it. You can see the child link as well.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/y61i6aujl5di3468iefu.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/r9vrywrjabafy5bop892.png)

-> Next, go to 'Boards,' then in 'My Teams Boards,' select 'PUL-Web Boards.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7i77m93joulj0k3f403c.png)

-> Then, select the type 'Features,' and you will see our items.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/zqwbq2mw8pyam9d6v49u.png)

-> Now, let's create a 'Product Item Backlog.' Click on the three dots beside the 'Work Item.' You will see an option for 'Add Product Backlog Item.' Click on it and then add the item.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xxowezcz187pn4uy6n7n.png)

-> Now, you can go to the 'Backlog Item' menu, and you will see your backlog there. You can move items to 'New,' 'Approved,' 'Done,' and also assign them to a developer.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ft3vnjfmamrw82v8gqmt.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bvgg2iuzj7us1p9rlari.png)

-> Now, if you click on 'View as Backlog,' you can also create tasks from here. Click on the '+' option, add a task, and save it. You will see the child task is added.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/y8ylzl361jv1qipbfed2.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4eiivxtk1blr3ca6aiqt.png)

-> If you click on that child task, you will see properties, remaining work, and activity. Choose the activity as 'development,' set the remaining work to 2, and save it.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qqv0xh1njw5ku9h96tfp.png)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/trwmmbxklnhe9u1kna90.png)

Until now, in Part 1, we have covered how to create a project, set up a Kanban dashboard, and explore boards. On boards, we looked at backlogs and work items. I hope it's clear up to this point. In the upcoming Part 2, we will delve into sprints and queries in Azure DevOps.

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Conclusion:

-> Kanban Dashboard:
      The Kanban Dashboard in Azure DevOps provides a visual 
      representation of work items and their flow through various 
      stages, offering real-time insights into the status of tasks 
      and projects.

-> Boards:
     Boards in Azure DevOps are collaborative spaces that help 
     teams visualize and manage their work using customizable 
     boards, providing a structured way to track and move work 
     items through different stages of development.

-> Work Items:
      Work Items in Azure DevOps represent tasks, features, or 
      issues throughout the development lifecycle, capturing 
      essential information such as priority, status, and assigned 
      team members.
 
-> Backlog:
      The Backlog in Azure DevOps is a prioritized list of work 
      items, including user stories, features, and tasks, serving 
      as a dynamic plan that guides the team's development efforts.

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If you have any doubts, questions, or recommendations, feel free to drop a comment. Follow me for updates and happy learning! :)