Why use an ALM schema?

The ALM schema and packages provide a scalable change management workflow solution that captures the best practices of software development process design.

There is a significant performance benefit to using an ALM schema that relies on a set of record types, rather than relying on a more generic (and monolithic) record type. Each record type has a smaller set of operations associated with it, and less hook code. This set of record types offers fewer constraints to the maintainers of a system than broader and more monolithic record types.

In replicated environments a further advantage is that mastership issues are minimized, because roles-based record types tie record ownership and mastership to the change request resolution process so the correct owner and location always have mastership.

There are several advantages to using an ALM schema. For example, Administrators can identify and create a set of all supported product releases (or projects) that a customer can install such as:

Using an ALM schema and process can:
  • Provide process consistency across the organization
  • Support componentization work
  • Provide consistent, reliable reporting of metrics
  • Minimize mastership issues and reduces replication times
  • Improve application performance
  • Provide artifact or activity-based management
  • Identify and utilize a role-based process model
  • Support integrations or data feeds to other systems