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Merging Aha! Product Management With Microsoft Teams Delivery

One of the ongoing challenges in software delivery continues to be managing information across multiple systems of record in the delivery tool chain. With different tools providing compelling value to teams throughout the delivery process, there isn’t one tool that meets everyone’s needs. The next best approach continues to be integration with designated systems of record.

Aha! made another significant step to become integrated into the delivery value chain. Aha! is a collaboration toolset that allows product owners to gather and manage inputs from different sources (e.g. customers, technical teams, market research, support) into cohesive roadmaps and feature backlogs. The platform allows teams to propose enhancements and manage the discussion.

Aha! recently announced in a blog post an additional integration with Microsoft Teams as a way to extend these discussions and feature implementations into delivery teams already using Microsoft Teams. Aha! integration is customizable so that you can control how information and discussions are added to Teams without overwhelming users with excessive topics and notifications. Aha! also built in delays to allow discussions to mature before sending to Teams, again helping to reduce notifications and distractions from other discussions and updates.

Aha!’s inclusion of Teams support adds to its existing integrations, which include common tools such as Jira, Azure DevOps, Salesforce, GitHub, Slack, and Okta. This gives your team options on how to leverage other integrations as well. Development teams using Microsoft tools can extend Teams into Azure DevOps Server (previously Foundation Server), SharePoint, and other products.

Our Take

• When defining the flow of information through your delivery chain, define the people, processes, and information first. Then find the tools that best support your activities and provide integrations to facilitate the flow of information.
• Always start with a pilot project to make sure the tool and interface work well for your team’s needs.
• Plan your information management and flow ahead of time to reduce conflicts and rework later.

Want to Know More?

To ensure that your people, processes, and culture are ready for the product delivery tool chain, follow our guidance in the following blueprints.

Implement Agile Practices That Work: Improve collaboration and transparency with the business to minimize project failure.

Transition to Product Delivery: Stop delivering projects. Start delivering products.

Implement DevOps Practices That Work: Streamline business value delivery through the strategic adoption of DevOps practices.