Rational Unified Process (RUP) is a rigorous and complex methodology. It is based on the idea of an iterative software development process. It was created and named by the Rational Software Corporation (bought by IBM in 2003). RUP describes how to develop software effectively using a vast range of techniques.
Develop software iteratively
Manage requirements
Use component-based architecture
Visual modeling of software
Verify software quality
Control changes to software
RUP consist of a large number of different tasks and activities. Within each iteration, the tasks are categorized into nine disciplines:Engineering Disciplines:
Business modeling discipline
Requirements discipline
Analysis and design discipline
Implementation discipline
Test discipline
Deployment discipline
Supporting Disciplines:
Configuration and change management discipline
Project management discipline
Environment discipline
It is especially targeted to larger software development teams working on large projects with a very rigorous methodology and a long time horizon. It can use specific modelling languages as UML and specific approaches like Model Driven Architecture (MDA).
RUP 