Creating Work Items from a Template
For creating many similar work items, TeamLook gives you the ability to create a
�template' from which to create work items. This feature saves time by allowing
you to fill out many of the fields in the create work item dialog only once. Then
you can create as many similar items as necessary without filling out the same information
over and over.
Creating Templates
To begin, click "Work Item Templates" in the ribbon bar. The button is designated
by an overlapping orange and black square connected by an arrow.
It opens a window in which you can "Manage Work Item Templates." At first you will
not have any available templates, there are no defaults. There is only a default
storage location: a "Work Item Templates" folder, created in your documents folder.
To change this location click "Change Template Store Path" in the bottom-left corner
of the window and choose a new location.
To create a new work item template, right-click on the folder that you want it saved
in and select "New Template."
Follow the prompt and select a specific project and work item type to create a template
for. If you get to this point and realize that you have not connected to the project
that you need to create a template for, you may shortcut to project connections
by clicking "TeamLook Options."
You will now see a window that looks like a new work item form, but with a few new
fields at the top of the window labeled "Template data." Name the new template and
give it a description. The Server, Project, and Type fields are pre-populated from
when you selected the project and work item type.
Now begin filling out the "Work Item Data." Any information that you input into
this section will pre-populate the fields of new work items created from this template.
Required fields are colored a pale yellow and labeled "Required." Fill out all required
fields and any fields that will be the same across the work items you plan to create
from this template. You will be able to add any textual information, but you will
not be able to add links or attachments. Those must be processed on an item by item
basis. When you have added all the universal information and are satisfied with
your new template, click "Save & Close" in the top-left corner of the window.
Using Templates
You are back to the "Manage Work Item Templates" window. There is now a new template,
designated by a green notebook icon, in addition to the folder that you chose to
save your templates in. Here you can edit, rename, delete, or move your template
by right- clicking it and selecting the appropriate option. But most importantly,
you can now create new work items from your template. Either right-click on the
template and select "Create Work Item;" or highlight the template and click the
"Create Work Item" button in the bottom-right of the window.
A new work item form will appear of the type you specified, with all the information
added to the template pre-populated in the appropriate fields.
Additional Topics
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