The use of systems development methods are, by many, seen as the way to solve development problems, decrease development time, and improve the quality of software systems. Despite this, little is known about how development methods are actually used in the software industry. The aim of this project is to investigate how a widespread development method is implemented and used in an organisational setting. The result of this project is a case study description of how Volvo Information Technology implements, adapts, and uses the commercial development method Rational Unified Process® (RUP®) in combination with other methods. The implementation is centrally administered and done incrementally over several years in order to build competence in the organisation. RUP is also adapted to the specific situation of the organisation, each division, each development project, and even adapted by individual developers.

<p>The use of systems development methods are, by many, seen as the way to solve development problems, decrease development time, and improve the quality of software systems. Despite this, little is known about how development methods are actually used in the software industry. The aim of this project is to investigate how a widespread development method is implemented and used in an organisational setting.</p><p>The result of this project is a case study description of how Volvo Information Technology implements, adapts, and uses the commercial development method Rational Unified Process® (RUP®) in combination with other methods. The implementation is centrally administered and done incrementally over several years in order to build competence in the organisation. RUP is also adapted to the specific situation of the organisation, each division, each development project, and even adapted by individual developers.</p>