Clearpath Innovations uses the “Rational Unified Process (RUP)” for our software development projects. The key characteristics of this approach are:

• Ensure stakeholder buy-in first.
• Mitigate technical risks early in development by building sample code and testing.
• Utilize “Use-Cases,” which describe the key users (roles) of the application and the different actions they take in the application. These use-cases can then be used almost like scripts when writing code. They are also helpful in deciding how to organize the code into various classes.
• Use an iterative approach in each phase (build-test-fix-repeat), but keep to a defined development schedule.

RUP includes the following phases:

1. Inception:
   • Build the business case
   • Sell to management
2. Elaboration:
   • Mitigate most technical and architecture risks here
   • Reassess scope as details are better understood
   • Write code to resolve big technical concerns
   • Complete graphical design
   • Develop security and support plans for the application
3. Construction:
   • Focus on overall application and packaging
   • Build the first complete prototype
4. Transition:
   • Build shippable product
   • Implement deployment and post-deployment support plan

The following documents are typically used to support each project:

• Application Use-case documents
• User Interface Wireframe Diagrams
• Screen Design documents
• Application Architecture and Software Class Diagrams
• Database Architecture Diagram
• Database Table and Procedure Specification Scripts
• Issues/Bug Tracking

Documents are shared with our clients using Clearpath Innovations’ secure, web-based Sharepoint server.