SP2010 Joined List View Builder: An Impossible Task?

Question

Imagine 2 very large lists: Tickets and Assignments. Assignments is a separate list because the client wants to categorize the assignment type, like BA and PM, plus have fields for estimated/actual hours.

The challenge: A solution that will:

1. Mimic OOB SP view
2. Show the ticket and related assignment data
3. Allow the end user to create the view with OOB SP-like UI
4. Handle group by options*

* Item 4 is proving to be the biggest issue!! I've been able to generate an acceptable view with web service calls via jQuery. But if the grouping is collapsed by default it just doesn't work. What am I missing?

Answer 1

I would use SPServices to get the data you want and construct two javascript objects and display using jquery. If you have 3rd party control plugins like KendoUI you could simply attach the grid controls to your return objects. Since the grids support filtering, sorting, and grouping, you would only have to skin them to look closer to sharepoint.