When creating a new TFS workitem is it possible to configure a different default Iteration value?

Question

Like many people we utilise the tree structure of each TFS project's Iteration field to organise the work items within that project. Typically we use it to track what iteration we are working in, so most of the time everyone creating a work item needs to put the same Iteration path value in new work items.

By default when you create a new work item (bug for example) this field is set to the root value of the defined tree. Given we have a tree structure in this field its fair to say that for 99% of WIs the default is never correct.

Is there a way to configure a TFS project to default the Iteration field to a specific value when creating a new work item?

Ideally this should be a per user setting, but a TFS project wide would still be better than nothing.

Answer 1

It's not possible to set a default value for Iteration or Area Path (at least not inside the WITD).

Two ideas come into my mind:

1. Create a custom control for your work items, install it on every PC and let it change the Iteration when the WI gets loaded.
2. Easier way: Get the power tools and create a template for your work items. There you can preselect the Iteration. Of course every user has to create their own template.

Answer 2

Andrei's answer lead me to some further internet research and I have found a option that fulfills my "this should be a per user setting" side of the equation;

• Instal the TFS Power tools extension.
• Define a new work item template (again following my example for a bug WI) and change the iteration path in the template to match that users current iteration path.
• Save the template.

From that point on you can add a work item using this template (team -> work item templates) and get the Iteration path default from the template.