Evaluation of development of web-based project management system based on the Rational Unified Process

Abstract

The Rational Unified Process (RUP) is one of the most popular processes in object-oriented software development. Taking full advantage of modeling, using industry-standard Unified Modeling Language (UML), RUP provides a component-based development process which is case driven, architecture-centric, iterative and incremental. In this paper, experience of RUP application to the development of web-based project management systems will be described. The target project had been performed for one year by a five-member team. As a development process, RUP provides a disciplined approach to assigning tasks and responsibilities within a development organization. In addition, RUP is fully customizable and tailored by accommodating modification or deselection of artifacts and/or activities to meet specific project or organizational needs. This paper focuses on how we applied RUP in the development of the system and the difficulties we had over the course of the project. Furthermore, process tailoring and the resulting enhancement in RUP adoption levels are addressed. The method application involved evaluation of RUP performance levels in quantitative ways to our project. We tailored RUP in terms of best practices by giving a different priority to each best practice. The best practice with the highest priority was primarily applied to the project. The final result of the evaluation, that being the level of RUP performance in this project was 76 points. Interpretation of this outcome suggests that RUP complied with the project quite well, illustrated by a detailed analysis of RUP performance based on evaluation results. Elements of the evaluation data can be used as valuable inputs in understanding and correcting weak points within a team. Deficient aspects within the development process which can affect the success of the project. Targeted improvements will elevate the process for the team, and the organization.