Say you're a project leader and you've identified a process that you think will work for your team. You might start with RUP and configure it specifically for your project team. The next step is to ensure that your team members will follow the process you've configured. The challenge is to keep everyone on track. The following sections provide suggestions for helping your team work with a process such as RUP. Schedule WorkshopsWe recommend that you hold a workshop to "kick-start" the project, as described in the RUP guidelines under "Development Case Workshop." This workshop is an opportunity to discuss how your team will use RUP, to show the team how to use the development environment, and to get feedback from the team about how to improve the development process. During this time your group can start gelling as a team ”by working together toward a common goal. We find it beneficial to hold workshops on an as-needed basis throughout the project. For example, during the Elaboration phase of RUP, as you work on developing the architecture, you might hold a workshop on domain analysis. Workshops can help ensure that team members are working with the same basic set of assumptions; they can also help strengthen the team-building effects of the kick-start workshop. [5]
Assign MentorsMost people learn skills best when they learn from someone else. Since the Middle Ages, apprentices have learned valuable skills from master craftsmen. This learning model is just as valid today. Whenever we learn something new, or venture into unfamiliar territory, we are more successful when we have an experienced guide. Your small project can benefit when you engage process and technical mentors. Cultivate an informal consulting relationship with an experienced coworker, or hire a consultant who can provide expertise to your team in a particular area. |