Introduction
In the world of working together on software, making sure people can use it properly is really important for a project to go well and stay safe. Azure DevOps is one of those tools that helps manage the whole process of creating software. It has different levels of access for people doing different jobs. This blog post will talk about these access levels in Azure DevOps and explain which type of users are best for each level.
Azure DevOps Access Levels
Azure DevOps has three main levels of access, and each level is designed for a particular job in team development.
1. Stakeholder: Bridging Visibility and Limited Interaction
The Stakeholder access level is made for people who want to keep an eye on a project without doing the actual development work. This level is good for folks like clients from outside, business people, or quality assurance professionals who mainly watch how the project is going without getting into the coding part. Stakeholders can use basic project tools like work items, boards, and simple collaboration features.
Note. Stakeholders don't have access to Repos.
Example. Client X, an external stakeholder, uses Azure DevOps Stakeholder access to track project progress, review work items, and participate in discussions. While they can't access code repositories, they play a crucial role in providing feedback and guiding project direction.
2. Basic: Empowering Active Contributors
The Basic access level is for team members who are actively working on the project. It's great for developers, testers, and product managers who play a direct role in shaping the project. People with Basic access can create and change work items, join discussions, and contribute to the code. This level gives them the tools they need to work together smoothly and manage tasks effectively.
Example. Development team members with Basic access collaborate on Azure DevOps, creating and updating work items, participating in discussions, and contributing code changes. This level of access ensures that team members have the necessary tools for effective collaboration in the development process.
3. Visual Studio Subscriber: Comprehensive Access for Advanced Contributors
The Visual Studio Subscriber is at the top level of access in Azure DevOps. This level is made for important roles like lead developers, architects, project managers handling multiple teams, and DevOps engineers. It gives users a broad set of tools. People with Visual Studio Subscriber access can use advanced features, such as having complete control over code storage, setting up detailed build processes, and using other fancy tools that are crucial for handling complicated projects.
Example. Kamal, a lead developer, utilizes Visual Studio Subscriber access to oversee multiple teams, manage code storage, and set up intricate build processes. This comprehensive access level empowers him to make high-level decisions and ensure the success of complex projects.
Access level can be updated in Azure DevOps by navigating to Organization Settings-> Users -> Select User-> Change Access Level, as shown in the image below.
![Users]()
Conclusion
When you're setting up who can do what in Azure DevOps, it's really important to match the access levels with what each person needs to do. Stakeholders, Basic users, and Visual Studio Subscribers all have different jobs in helping everyone work together. Getting the right mix makes sure the project runs smoothly and stays secure.
In summary, managing users well in Azure DevOps is super important for making collaborative software development go smoothly. Knowing what each access level does helps organizations choose wisely, creating a teamwork-friendly space that boosts productivity and makes sure projects succeed.