Agile Unified Process is a simplified version of the IBM Rational Unified Process

IBM Rational Unified Process

The Rational Unified Process is an iterative software development process framework created by the Rational Software Corporation, a division of IBM since 2003...

 (RUP) developed by Scott Ambler

Scott Ambler

Scott W. Ambler is a Canadian software engineer, consultant and author, currently Practice Leader Agile Development at IBM Corporation in the IBM Methods group...

. It describes a simple, easy to understand approach to developing business application software using agile techniques and concepts yet still remaining true to the RUP. The AUP applies agile techniques including test driven development (TDD), Agile Modeling

Agile Modeling

Agile Modeling is a practice-based methodology for modeling and documentation of software-based systems. It is intended to be a collection of values, principles, and practices for Modeling software that can be applied on a software development project in a more flexible manner than traditional...

, agile change management, and database refactoring

Database refactoring

A database refactoring is a simple change to a database schema that improves its design while retaining both its behavioral and informational semantics...

 to improve productivity.

Disciplines

Unlike the RUP, the AUP has only seven disciplines:

1. Model. Understand the business of the organization, the problem domain being addressed by the project, and identify a viable solution to address the problem domain.
2. Implementation. Transform model(s) into executable code and perform a basic level of testing, in particular unit testing.
3. Test. Perform an objective evaluation to ensure quality. This includes finding defects, validating that the system works as designed, and verifying that the requirements are met.
4. Deployment. Plan for the delivery of the system and to execute the plan to make the system available to end users.
5. Configuration Management. Manage access to project artifacts. This includes not only tracking artifact versions over time but also controlling and managing changes to them.
6. Project Management
   Project management
   Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
   
   . Direct the activities that take place within the project. This includes managing risks, directing people (assigning tasks, tracking progress, etc.), and coordinating with people and systems outside the scope of the project to be sure that it is delivered on time and within budget.
7. Environment. Support the rest of the effort by ensuring that the proper process, guidance (standards and guidelines), and tools (hardware, software, etc.) are available for the team as needed.

Philosophies

The Agile UP is based on the following philosophies:

1. Your staff knows what they're doing. People are not going to read detailed process documentation, but they will want some high-level guidance and/or training from time to time. The AUP product provides links to many of the details, if you are interested, but doesn't force them upon you.
2. Simplicity. Everything is described concisely using a handful of pages, not thousands of them.
3. Agility. The Agile UP conforms to the values and principles of the agile software development
   Agile software development
   Agile software development is a group of software development methodologies based on iterative and incremental development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration between self-organizing, cross-functional teams...
   
    and the Agile Alliance.
4. Focus on high-value activities. The focus is on the activities which actually count, not every possible thing that could happen to you on a project.
5. Tool independence. You can use any toolset that you want with the Agile UP. The recommendation is that you use the tools which are best suited for the job, which are often simple tools.
6. You'll want to tailor the AUP to meet your own needs.

Releases

The Agile Unified Process distinguishes between two types of iterations. A development release iteration results in a deployment to the quality-assurance and/or demo area. A production release iteration results in a deployment to the production area. This is a significant refinement to the Rational Unified Process

Rational Unified Process

The Rational Unified Process is an iterative software development process framework created by the Rational Software Corporation, a division of IBM since 2003...

.

External links

• AmbySoft Agile Unified Process page
• Scott Amber's Dr Dobbs article "Where Did All the Positions Go?"