Review By: Vivek Vaishampayan
09/29/2008

The precise objective of this book is to present an open source view of software process engineering. The authors advocate the IBM Rational Unified Process (RUP) and the Unified Method Architecture (UMA). Both subject matters are presented in an elaborate and organized manner.

Author Ahmad Shuja encompasses the most essential elements of RUP. In doing so, he provides the readers with a firm understanding of how to adapt to RUP methodology. He introduces RUP discipline and its relative position in the RUP process and major activities that are performed under that discipline. This is followed by an overview of the discipline, its purposes, workflow, key artifacts, primary roles and responsibilities, important concepts, and a summary at end. This is done chapter by chapter for all RUP disciplines in which he covers business modeling, requirements, analysis and design, implementation, test, deployment, configuration and change management, project management, and the RUP environment. This is followed by a set of sample questions for those aspiring to gain RUP certification.

Jochen Krebs explains the UMA concept. Jochen describes its basic content and process elements. He explains how process elements organize content elements into activities and lifecycles and give the content a sequential structure. All these features are well explained with ample practical, working, and running diagrams.

Overall the book is an excellent source of information. The subject matter is organized in an easy-to-follow manner. Also the authors’ presentation from the process perspective is well done.

While there are multiple light weight processes such as open UP and others which are gaining more popularity, most of these open source, lean processes are based upon and originated from RUP. It is absolutely essential to learn RUP and then find the benefits you need to adopt a light-weight version of these processes.

The authors have done an excellent job writing this book, which serves as a great reference guide on the subject. It's also the only official RUP certification preparation guide. Moreover, it stands up to the expectations of professionals and comes highly recommended.

The contents of this book cover in-depth RUP process and its associated advanced concepts. The book is a classic example of compact explanation on a complex process. It is written by process people for process professionals. Every RUP process engineer must read this book.