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Integrate Azure DevOps

Overview

Kiplot allows seamless integration with Azure DevOps, enabling organizations to synchronize data between Kiplot entities and Azure DevOps work items. This integration helps teams maintain alignment between strategic portfolio management in Kiplot and execution details in Azure DevOps.

Please note that the configuration, including bulk synchronizations, are currently managed by Kiplot. Features allowing end users to manage the configuration within the UI will be available in Q2/23 2025.

Key Features

  • Entity Mapping: Kiplot maps its entities (such as Initiatives or Outcomes) to work item types in Azure DevOps.

  • Flexible Field Synchronization: Individual fields can be configured as:

    • Read-only (syncs from Azure DevOps to Kiplot)

    • Write-only (syncs from Kiplot to Azure DevOps)

    • Read-and-write (bi-directional synchronization)

    • Manual or automated sync modes

  • Sync Frequency Configuration: Integrations can be configured for:

    • Manual Sync: Users can trigger a read or write operation by pressing a button.

    • Automatic Sync: Kiplot consumes real-time webhooks from Azure DevOps to update data instantly when changes occur. Write operations are also automated, ensuring updates made in Kiplot are immediately reflected in Azure DevOps.

  • Bulk Synchronization: Users can sync all or selected work items between Azure DevOps and Kiplot in batches.

  • Project-Level Integration: Kiplot integrates at the Azure DevOps project level, ensuring that work items within a specific project are correctly mapped and updated.

Setting Up the Integration

1. Connect an Azure DevOps Instance

An Instance in Kiplot represents an Azure DevOps environment (e.g., Azure DevOps Services or Azure DevOps Server). To connect:

  1. Navigate to the Integrations section in Kiplot.

  2. Select Add New Instance and choose Azure DevOps.

  3. Provide a Name and the Azure DevOps Instance URL.

  4. Authenticate using valid Personal Access Token (PAT) credentials.

  5. Save the Instance.

2. Configure Projects

After creating an Instance, you can connect one or more Projects within Azure DevOps:

  1. Select the connected Azure DevOps Instance.

  2. Choose Add Project Integration.

  3. Select the Azure DevOps project you want to integrate.

  4. Assign credentials (reusing credentials from the Instance or entering new ones).

  5. Define field mappings for synchronization.

3. Define Field Mappings

Field mappings determine how data flows between Kiplot and Azure DevOps. These mappings can be:

  • Shared Across Integrations: A set of field mappings can be reused across multiple project integrations.

  • Project-Specific: A unique mapping for a specific integration.

Each field mapping specifies:

  • The corresponding Azure DevOps work item field

  • The direction of synchronization (read, write, or bi-directional)

  • Whether synchronization is automated or manual. (Manual means that the user has to press “read/write”, whereas automatic consumes webhooks from Azure DevOps in real-time, and immediately writes changes to AzureDevOps as soon as they made in Kiplot. We strongly recommend automatic.)

4. Enabling Bulk Synchronization

Bulk synchronization allows users to update multiple work items at once. This can be configured to:

  • Pull all or selected work items from Azure DevOps into Kiplot

  • Push all or selected Kiplot items into Azure DevOps

  • Bi-directionally sync work items between systems

Managing and Updating Integrations

  • Editing an Integration: Users can modify field mappings, update credentials, or adjust sync settings at any time.

  • Deleting an Integration: Removing an integration does not delete data in Azure DevOps or Kiplot but stops further synchronization.

  • Reusing Field Mappings: Users can copy field mappings from an existing integration or share a common set across multiple integrations.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Kiplot requires a Personal Access Token (PAT) with sufficient permissions to read and update work items within the selected Azure DevOps project. Adding a new instance, credentials and integration will validate the authentication method has the correct access and permissions.

  • Yes, multiple projects can be integrated within the same Azure DevOps Instance in Kiplot.

  • If a shared field mapping is updated, all integrations using that mapping will reflect the changes.

    If a field mapping is copied and modified, changes apply only to the copied version.

  • Yes, users can initiate manual syncs for individual work items or perform bulk synchronization as needed.