How work the process called RUP and what are the four phases of this method?

RUP does mean Rational Unified Process. This term is a process created by the software engineering company, Rational Software Corporation, to guide the development of a program.

The RUP is a methodology with agile practices, as well as Scrum and Extreme Programming (XP). These methods have in common the use of good practices that help to obtain routine and productive techniques.

So, let’s get to the heart of the matter! Through this article, you will be able to understand everything about Rational's Unified Process. For this, check out the topics that we are going to address:

• What is RUP?
• Objectives of the RUP
• The best practices of the  RUP
• The 4 phases of the RUP

To begin with, let’s from what is RUP.

What is RUP? 

As already seen, RUP is an acronym and expresses the Rational Unified Process. This process is preferably used for complex projects with large teams.

In managing a project, the RUP promotes a disciplined solution, which consists of organizing the tasks and responsibilities of all within an organization.

The practices used in RUP are based on several other methods, but in addition, it presents some principles similar to that of agile methods.

One of these methods is Scrum, and it is not possible to classify one as better than the other, but to evaluate what are the objectives that each methodology provides for your organization or project.

The Scrum Framework is based on practices according to the agile manifesto. Projects that are developed in this system have characteristics such as activities and work iteratively and incrementally.

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Objectives of the RUP

The RUP methodology consists of a process work structure with the product objective and thus based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML) model, when talking about object-oriented programming.

The UML composes a language to define a sequence of artifacts and assist in the execution of the tasks of the system to be developed, through different types of diagrams.

All the techniques and practices used in the RUP model are proven in the software and project management industry.

Even though RUP is used for complex projects and with extensive teams, it allows activities and artifacts to be performed according to the team's choice and can be adapted to make the process more agile.

The model is detailed from three perspectives:

• Dynamics;
• Static;
• Practice.

It is in the dynamic perspective that composes the life cycle of the project, in which it is divided into 4 sequential phases, named in: inception, elaboration, construction and transition.

From a static point of view, the RUP focuses on the activities that are carried out during the project life cycle, these activities are called workflows.

Finally, the practical view of the process consists of good process practices, which are the recommendations of the method so that all activities are prepared in the best way.

To clarify how the development of a project in the RUP works, let's explain what is done in each of the 4 phases of the RUP in the next topic.

The 4 phases of the RUP

As stated in the topic above, the phases of the RUP are involved within the perspective of dynamic development.

It is at this moment that the project is given planning, resource survey, implementation, testing, among others. Next, let's understand a little more about each step, separately.

Inception

It is at this moment that project planning is elaborated with stakeholders, it is they who have described the requirements for the system to be developed.

The stage is performed in a short period of time. It guides the team to analyze the feasibility of the project and how to start defining the first steps. Using this concept we have a methodology called Lean Inception.

Elaboration

In the elaboration phase, or elaboration, it seeks to survey cases, documentation, base studies, that is, models to guide the project. This is to guide what will be the best way according to the premises of stakeholders.

After all this knowledge, a project plan is drawn up, with all the characteristics and specificities, in the most detailed way possible.

Construction

That's when the construction of the project is done, which is why it has that name. The main objective is the production of the product. Since the method is based on software development, we are talking about creating codes.

In addition, it is at this stage that the first tests are performed so that the initial basis is prepared for the transition stage.

Transition

Transition is expressed as transition, that is, the phase that the project goes from the test point to the implementation.

After all the tests carried out and with the object ready, it's time to make it available to the end user, that is, the delivery of the project.

In addition to delivery, this phase includes conducting training and ensuring that the final object solves all the problems of stakeholders.

Given all the phases that make up a project using the RUP methodology, it is important to emphasize that in the development of these activities the entire team needs to be oriented to some practices and to perform the artifacts in an aligned way.

The best practices of the  RUP

Just like everything in life, there are rules to be followed. Good practices consist of skills that need to be developed for the increase to be carried out in the best possible way.

In the case of the RUP, we see some similarities with the principles of the agile manifesto, that is, this methodology has agile practices partially.

So, let's go to the good practices of the RUP:

• Develop the software iteratively
• Manage requirements
• Use component-based architectures
• Visually model software
• Check the quality of the software
• Control the software changes

The objective of these practices is to manage that production is done with quality, on time, with predictable budgets, and in an adequate way for stakeholders.

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