Jerry StangerIT Project Manager| John DeereMoline, Il, United States
My company has an internally created System Delivery Process. The full-color glossy for Rational RUP looks promising, but would like to hear any real life evaluations. Saving Changes...
While I do not possess intimate knowledge of RUP and related processes and software suites, I have been on some training, and have implemented some processes here and there (would have been a larger implementation if senior management had been a better sponsor)and it is very detailed. There is a bit of a learning curved, depending on the level of implementation. I'd suggest calling a regional rep, those fellas are always chomping at the bit to showcase for you. One thing to keep in mind, if you do go for the full monty, ensure that you take an itterative approach, I did have expereince where we were already in the midst of a big eCom project with tight deadlines and senior management wanted a full blown implementation asap. Didn't work. Managing change in workflow requires a well thought out approach. Allow time for a learning curve.Just my two cents Saving Changes...
Anonymous
I've had a number of experiences with RUP and it is an excellent process as long as you take a pragmatic approach. I have seen Project teams follow RUP to the letter and get suffocated with the volume and detail of documentation required. Carefully assess which artifacts you need to deliver during each iteration. Do this up front in conjunction with the project team and don't fall into the trap of getting your people to deliver artifacts because the process says you need to.
I'm also positive about Rational tools to accompany RUP. The opportunity for interoperability with tools such as Clearcase (source management), Clearquest (defect management) and Robot (automated testing) can be of real value. These are, however far from cheap!! and the process of actually putting them together and getting them up and running requires real expertise in configuration management (we used Rational consultants) - again far from cheap!!
I'd agree that you need to get in touch with your Rational (read IBM!) outfit to talk you through the options.
I would stress the fact that implementing such a process is a big change in an organization (specially if you don't have a process culture). Be flexible and gain the confidence of the important PMs.
I would also recommend you to:
- Simplify the process to fit your needs
- Obtain commitment from the sponsors
- Manage communications from the beguinning of the project
- Ask for volunteers help
Lucas RodrÃguez
www.nevant.com Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
RUP, the process, works very well in a large development organization when used in conjunction with the Rational tools and consulting services. And what better kudos can be given than IBM's acquisition of Rational? For a large development organization, you can't go wrong choosing RUP. Let them handle the development and innovation of great tools, processes, and services and you can focus on successfully and happily using them! However, smaller development organizations and organizations that primarily have small development projects may find RUP, the process, a bit detailed, difficult to customize, and hard to effectively use outside of your core SDP. Good luck. Mark Perry, Vice President of Customer Care, BOT International Saving Changes...
