Custom Processes can be deployed in Visual Studio 2005 Team System using IRIS Process Author. Custom processes include internal best practices and methodologies as well as industry methodologies and quality frameworks which have already been customized and deployed. IRIS Process Author allows custom processes to be tailored, verified and published. It also creates VSTS process templates as well as templates for Microsoft Project. The combined solution ensures that all project specific activities are carried out in accordance to the processes prescribed in the VSTS process template which is generated directly by IRIS Process Author.

Most software development organizations, particularly those with high maturity level, have defined processes that are used to manage and execute projects. The processes are deployed in a variety of ways – from manual enactment to sophisticated process, project and portfolio management solutions. The common thread in these enactment scenarios is that only some parts of the processes, typically those that are project management related, are translated, tailored and enacted – with limited automation. This does not give provide the full benefits of process automation. IRIS Process Live and Microsoft’s Visual Studio Team System (VSTS) enable full automation of software development processes by way of process templates which initiates projects in VSTS. The challenge lies in the development and the constant need of tailoring processes for different types of project.

IRIS Process Author allows organizations to migrate their existing processes to its structured online and highly secured process repository. The highly reusable and component-based architecture of IRIS Process Author allows integration of custom processes with industry methodologies and quality management frameworks. From this process repository, project teams can quickly create tailored and validated versions of end-to-end lifecycle processes in the form of process templates for VSTS. Process templates define the initial process settings for team project and the key aspects of a team project that affect how a team works. By using customized process template generated by IRIS Process Author, can define team project control structure including activities, iterations, guidance, roles, work products, etc...