Skip to main content

Using Rational Unified Process in an SME – A Case Study

  • Conference paper
Software Process Improvement (EuroSPI 2005)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 3792))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

The Rational Unified Process (RUP) is a comprehensive software development process framework emphasizing use-cases, architecture focus and an iterative approach. RUP is widely known and many organizations have tried to adopt it. Being a framework, RUP has to, in some way, be tailored to the specific context of use, no software development project is alike. This paper presents a case study of a Norwegian SME that tried to adopt RUP in the simplest way, by introducing the methodology by providing comprehensive documentation and some simple training. Our study shows that the use of RUP had some positive effects but also that the use has been scattered. Interviews with users of RUP show that there is a great need of better training and practical support in getting most value out of RUP. The key message is that if you consider taking RUP into use you have to invest resources in it. Training and support are key success factors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Krutchen, P.: The Rational Unified Process: An Introduction, 2nd edn., p. 298. Addison-Wesley, Reading (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Yin, R.K.: Case Study Research - Design and Methods. In: Foster, D.S. (ed.). Applied Social Research Methods Series. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Seaman, C.: Qualitative methods in empirical studies in software engineering. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering 25(4), 557–572 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Avison, D., et al.: Action Research. Communications of the ACM 42(1), 94–97 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Riemenschneider, C.K.H., et al.: Explaining software developer acceptance of methodologies: a comparison of five theoretical models. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering 28(12), 1135–1145 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Westerheim, H., Hanssen, G.K.: The Introduction and Use of a Tailored Unified - A Case Study. In: 31st EUROMICRO CONFERENCE on Software Engineering and Advanced Applications (SEAA), Porto, Portugal. IEEE, Los Alamitos (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bergström, S., Råberg, L.: Adopting the Rational Unified Process, pp. 165–182. Addison-Wesley, Reading (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hanssen, G.K., et al.: Tailoring RUP to a defined project type: A case study. In: 6th International Conference on Product Focused Software Process Improvement, PROFES. Springer, Oulo (2005)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Hanssen, G.K., Westerheim, H., Bjørnson, F.O. (2005). Using Rational Unified Process in an SME – A Case Study. In: Richardson, I., Abrahamsson, P., Messnarz, R. (eds) Software Process Improvement. EuroSPI 2005. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3792. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/11586012_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/11586012_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-30286-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-32271-9

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics