Introduction to OpenUP
Main Description

Getting Started
Core Principles
Roles
WorkProducts
Disciplines
LifeCycle

What is OpenUP?

OpenUP is a lean Unified Process that applies iterative and incremental approaches within a structured lifecycle. OpenUP embraces a pragmatic, agile philosophy that focuses on the collaborative nature of software development. It is a tools-agnostic, low-ceremony process that can be extended to address a broad variety of project types.

OpenUP layers: micro-increments, iteration lifecycle and project lifecycle Iteration Lifecycle Project Lifecycle Work Item Iteration Plan Project Plan Increment Iteration Build Inception Phase Elaboration Phase Construction Phase Transition Phase Risk Value Micro Increment

OpenUP layers: micro-increments, iteration lifecycle and project lifecycle

Personal effort on an OpenUP project is organized in micro-increments. These represent short units of work that produce a steady, measurable pace of project progress (typically measured in hours or a few days). The process applies intensive collaboration as the system is incrementally developed by a committed, self-organized team. These micro-increments provide an extremely short feedback loop that drives adaptive decisions within each iteration.

OpenUP divides the project into iterations: planned, time-boxed intervals typically measured in weeks. Iterations focus the team on delivering incremental value to stakeholders in a predictable manner. The iteration plan defines what should be delivered within the iteration, and the result is a demo-able or shippable build. OpenUP teams self-organize around how to accomplish iteration objectives and commit to delivering the results. They do that by defining and "pulling" fine-grained tasks from a work items list. OpenUP applies an iteration lifecycle that structures how micro-increments are applied to deliver stable, cohesive builds of the system that incrementally progresses towards the iteration objectives.

OpenUP structures the project lifecycle into four phases: Inception, Elaboration, Construction, and Transition. The project lifecycle provides stakeholders and team members with visibility and decision points throughout the project. This enables effective oversight, and allows you to make "go or no-go" decisions at appropriate times. A project plan defines the lifecycle, and the end result is a released application.

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