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be solved by adopting a process like RUP out of the box, many project management prob-
lems cannot be solved by writing a check. This is why it is often easier to adopt small,
piecemeal changes like adopting individual practices, tools, and techniques than it is to
force an entire organization to adopt a complete software process immediately. However,
if that problem can be overcome, then an out-of-the-box process such as RUP can be a
powerful tool for building better software.
NOTE
More information on RUP can be found in The Rational Unified Process: An
Introduction by Philippe Kruchten (Addison Wesley, 2000).
Moving Forward
There is no single process, framework, or methodology that works all the time. Every
organization is different. What’s more, organizations are made up of people who need to
be convinced that the change really is necessary. While these practices can be very useful
as guidelines, the most important part of improving the software process is helping people
in your organization understand their role in the development of software.
One reason these process improvement tools have a good chance of successful implementa-
tion is that each of them takes into account the basic project management principles intro-
duced in Chapter 1. Whether the process is adopted all at once or good practices are adopted
individually, if these principles are followed, then the team will build better software.
This book has been all about specific tools and techniques that, if applied individually, will
help a project manager improve the way her organization builds software. Most software
organizations will see substantial benefits from a piecemeal approach to building better
software. Specific problems can be diagnosed, and individual tools and techniques can be
applied to help alleviate those problems. In this way, a project manager can introduce
changes directed specifically at the most troublesome problems. But whether you select a
piecemeal, diagnose-and-fix approach or have the clout to initiate a full software process
improvement effort, solving the problems that affect your projects is within your reach.
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