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
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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