Understanding Cycles and Boards

Understanding Cycles and Boards in DevStride

DevStride offers two pivotal features for managing and organizing work: Cycles and Boards. Understanding their differences and similarities is crucial for effectively using the platform.

Cycles

Cycles represent time-boxed periods, usually used for planning and tracking iterations of work, such as sprints in agile methodologies.

Characteristics of Cycles:

• Time-bound: Cycles have a defined start and end date, representing a period dedicated to accomplishing a set of tasks.
• Sequential: They usually follow a sequence, with each cycle representing a progression from the previous one.
• Goal-Oriented: Each cycle is aimed at achieving specific project goals or milestones.

Boards

Boards are organizational tools that provide a visual representation of work items, allowing users to manage and track the progress of tasks through different stages.

Characteristics of Boards:

• Status-driven: Boards are divided into columns that represent the status of tasks (e.g., New, In Progress, Review, Done).
• Flexible: They allow for various configurations and can be used across different types of work methods, not just agile.
• Collaborative: Boards enable team members to see the status of all tasks, facilitating better collaboration and communication.

Similarities between Cycles and Boards:

• Task Management: Both are used to manage tasks, with cycles focusing on the time aspect and boards on the status.
• Agile Framework: They are both commonly used within agile frameworks to facilitate iterative development and continuous improvement.
• Customization: Users can customize both to fit the needs of their team or project.

Differences between Cycles and Boards:

• Time vs. Status: Cycles are time-centric, whereas boards are status-centric.
• Planning vs. Tracking: Cycles are more about planning work for a set period, while boards are about tracking the progress of that work.
• Sequential vs. Continuous: Cycles move sequentially, while boards provide a continuous flow of work items across different statuses.

When to Use Each

• Use cycles when you want to plan work within a specific timeframe or to track progress against time-bound goals.
• Use boards when you need a flexible and visual way to manage tasks, regardless of the time aspect, and to facilitate team collaboration.

In DevStride, you can navigate between these two features to get a comprehensive view of your work items and their progress. By understanding their distinct functions and how they complement each other, you can optimize your workflow and project management practices.

For a visual representation and more details on how to utilize cycles and boards in DevStride, refer to the provided screenshots.