When Should I Create a Custom AgileShape?

AgilePoint customers frequently make the mistake of creating custom AgileShapes when the built-in AgileShapes would be a better choice. In most cases, you can configure the existing AgileShapes to meet the needs of your process or organization. Custom AgileShapes are often created for a specific, ad hoc purpose, when a configuration of an existing shape would serve the same function.

Built-in AgileShapes have the following advantages:

• They do not require time and resources from IT to create them.
• They do not require additional time and resources for documentation and training.
• They are included in AgilePoint Customer Support plans.
• They often have greater flexibility than custom-built AgileShapes, and can be used for a greater number of functions.

AgilePoint recommends creating custom AgileShapes only when you are sure that a built-in AgileShape cannot accomplish the task you want. The following are common examples:

• You require integration with a third-party system that AgilePoint does not support out of the box.
• You require AgileExtender functionality that is not supported through the out-of-the-box AgileExtenders.