Process flows
Toolchain Integration Implementation
The Planview Hub toolchain integration capability supports 60+ no-code connectors to integrate every phase of the software development lifecycle for seamless end-to-end flow and traceability. Implementing toolchain integration allows you to improve collaboration between different roles, eliminate manual and duplicate data entry, reduce time to value delivery, and generate meaningful Flow Metrics to inform decision-making and enhance your overall software development processes.
Toolchain Integration Process Steps
Toolchain integration process flow
| Process Step | Description |
|---|---|
|
Identify roles and tools |
Implementing toolchain integration with Planview Hub requires establishing synchronization between different roles and tools in your software development process. Start by identifying the roles and tools in your software development and delivery process, including developers, testers, product managers, version control systems, issue trackers, project management tools, and testing frameworks. This step supports the mapping of workflows between users, teams, and tools. |
|
Map workflows |
Analyze how data flows through each role, tool, repository, and collection in your software delivery process to identify points of integration. Define the workflow for each user role, including the specific actions they perform and the data they generate or update. |
|
Set up integrations |
Create a repository connection for each system that houses the artifacts to be used in the integration. Use the point-and-click configuration interface in Planview Hub to set up connections. Define a model for the artifacts to be integrated, either using Hub out-of-the-box model options, or creating custom models tailored to your specific needs. Set up collections to group artifacts that are eligible to flow as part of the integration. |
|
Configure integrations |
Integration patterns define how tools should interact and share relevant information, such as data, actions, and events. Configure your integration between the connected repositories and collections by defining which artifacts to synchronize, mapping fields between repositories, and configuring the data flow directionality, such as one-way or bi-directional. To simplify the process, you can choose foundational integration patterns based on 14 common patterns, or a predefined template that aligns with the integration requirements. Planview Hub supports different integration styles – see the Planview Hub Editions to determine which integration styles and patterns are supported by your Hub edition. Use the point-and-click configuration interface in Planview Hub to implement the integration patterns. For more information: Planview Hub toolchain integration demo |
|
Test integrations |
Before deploying the integrations in a production environment, conduct thorough testing of the integrations to ensure smooth data flow and proper synchronization of artifacts between connected repositories. |
|
Chain integrations |
Integration patterns facilitate the flow between the ideation, creation, release, and operation phases of software delivery. Chain your foundational integration patterns together to achieve a seamless, automated flow of work and traceability across your entire toolchain integration landscape. Chaining toolchain integrations from end-to-end allows you to generate useful reports and meaningful metrics on the flow of value through the software delivery value stream, known as Flow Metrics. For more information: Integration Patterns: Architecting Your Value Stream for Speed and Quality |
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Monitor and optimize |
Continuously monitor integrated toolchain to identify any issues or bottlenecks and optimize the integration patterns for performance, accuracy, and efficiency. The Planview Hub Metrics dashboard allows you to monitor the adoption, usage, and ROI of each integration. |
|
Continuously improve |
As your toolchain evolves, be prepared to adapt the integration patterns to accommodate new roles, tools, or changes in your development process. Based on monitoring results and user feedback, make iterative improvements to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of your toolchain integration. |
Best Practices
Streamline integration with models
Using an out-of-the-box Hub model for your data flow configuration can significantly reduce the complexity and upfront planning needed to define your fields and artifacts. Mapping collections to the same model allows you to easily add new repositories or projects to your integration landscape for scalability. Models can also be copied and modified for different integration scenarios, allowing for customization and flexibility.
Optimize the flow of data
Define your flow specifications with the efficient flow of data in mind. By focusing on critical information, minimizing endpoints, and reducing data volume, you can optimize your integration performance, responsiveness, data consistency, and overall system efficiency. This streamlines the integration process and ensures the right data is available where and when it’s needed, without unnecessary overhead or complexity.
Jump-start integration with templates
Templates accelerate integration by bundling flow specification elements and providing a structured and customizable framework for integrating different repositories and artifacts. By selecting a template, you define the integration style and canvas layout, which influences other configuration options such as artifact flow directionality, field flow directionality, and routing directionality. As a result, integrating your collections becomes a seamless and efficient process.
Future-proof your design
When designing your data flow configuration, consider factors like ease of use, scalability, and flexibility to accommodate future changes. Ensure your integration design and architecture can accommodate an increasing number of artifacts, repositories, and projects; using models can help with scalability and uniformity. By defining consistent mapping and transformation rules that allow accurate and essential data flow between systems, you can adapt to changes in your data models and ensure seamless integration as your needs evolve.
Test and validate
Conduct end-to-end testing of your integration before deploying it to production. Verify the integration supports the desired workflows and automations by testing its behavior under various load conditions. Measure response times, data transfer rates, and resource utilization to identify any bottlenecks or performance issues, then iterate and refine the integration design, configuration, and logic as necessary.
Collaborate with Flow experts and community
Engage with Planview Flow Advisors and the Flow Framework Community to gain insights, share knowledge, troubleshoot issues, and exchange best practices. Collaborating with experts and other users can help you accelerate your adoption, reduce your learning curve, navigate complex or custom integration scenarios, and make informed decisions that optimize your integration.