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RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK IDENTIFICATION
It is a systematic
attempt to specify threats to the project plan estimates, schedule, resource loading, etc.
After identification and predictable risks, the Supervisor or Project Manager takes steps
towards avoiding and controlling them.
TYPES OF RISK
 | Generic Risks |
| Product Specific Risks |
Generic Risks
Generic Risks are potential threats to every software project.
Product Specific Risks
They are identifying with a clear understanding of the technology, the
people, and the environment. Project Plan are created and examined by the expertise.
Tom Gilb states…. "If
you don’t actively attack the risks, they will actively attack you"
Methods for Identifying Risks
To create a risk item checklist
| Product Size--- Risks associated with the overall size of the software to
be built or modified. |
| Business Impact--- Risks associated with constraints imposed by
management or the marketplace.
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| Customer Characteristics---Risks associated with the
sophistication of the customer and developer’s ability to communicate with the
customer in a timely manner.
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| Process Definition---Risks associated with the degree to which
the software process has been defined and is followed by the development organization.
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| Development Environment--- Risks associated with the
availability and quality of the tools to be used to build the product.
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| Technology To Be Built--- Risks associated with the complexity
of the system to be built and the newness of the technology that is package by the system.
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| Staff Size and Experience--- Risks associated with the overall
technical and project experience of the software engineers who will do the work.
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PRODUCT SIZE RISKS
Project Risks is directly proportional to product
size
The following risks item checklist identifies generic risks
associated with product (software) size. The current information is compared with the past
experience. Then the potential of the risk is judge.
| Estimate size of product in number of programs, files, and transaction? |
| Number of users of the product? |
| Size of Database created or used by the product? |
BUSINESS IMPACT RISKS
Business methodology and marketing strategies are sometimes come into
direct conflict with the technical realities. The Generic Risks associated with business
impact. The current information is compared with the past experience. Then the potential
of the risk is judge.
| Effect of this product on company revenue? |
| Number of customers who will use this product? |
| Number of other product use with this product? |
| Costs associated with the late delivery? |
| Cost associated in case of a defective product? |
CUSTOMER RELATED RISK
All customers are not created equal
Needs, Attitudes & Personality
| Customers know what they want |
Others know what they don’t want |
| Some enjoys being customer, the tension, the negotiation, the
psychological rewards |
Others prefer not to be customers at all. |
| Some happily accepts things even a poor product |
Other will complaint bitterly when quality is
lacking |
| Some will show their appreciation when quality is good |
Few will complain no matter what |
Customer Vs Supplier
| Some know the product and producer well |
Other may be faceless |
| Communicating with the producer only by written
correspondence |
Others will be hurried talk on telephone calls |
| Some are profound by the risk and threats in developing the
product |
Others give threats to the producer for reduction in cost in
case of delay |
The risk item checklist identifies generic risks associated with
different customers:
| Have you work in the past? Does the customer have the solid idea of what is required? |
| Is the customer willing to establish rapid communication links with the developer? |
| Is the customer having the background technical knowledge? |
| Does the customer understand the software process? |
PROCESS RISKS
If the software process is ill defined; if
analysis, design, and testing are conducted in ad hoc fashion; if quality is a concept
that everyone agrees is important, but no one acts to achieve in any tangible way, then
the project is at risk.
| Does your senior management support a written policy statement for
standard process in development? |
| Has your organization developed a written description of the process? |
| Any formal technical reviews of the test procedures and test case
conducted regularly? |
| Are specific methods used for software analysis? |
| Are software tools used to support planning and tracking activities? |
TECHNOLOGY RISK
Working in a modern technology is every person’s dream, but it is too risky.
| Is the technology to be built new to your organization?
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| Do the customer’s requirement demand the creation of new algorithms or input or
output technology? |
DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT RISKS
Inappropriate or ineffective tools can blunt the efforts of even a
skilled practitioner. The software-engineering environment supports the project team, the
process, and the product. But if the environment is not suitable the risk becomes high.
| Is a software project management tools available? |
| Are tools for analysis and design available? |
| Is on-line help and documentation for the tools available? |
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH STAFF SIZE
AND EXPERIENCE
| Are the best people available? |
| Do the people have the right combination of skill? |
| Has staff received necessary training? |
| If the answer is "no" further investigation should be done to
reduce the risk potential. |
RISK COMPONENTS AND DRIVERS
Project Manager identifies the risk drivers that effect software risk
components, performance, cost, support and schedule.
| Performance risk—the degree of uncertainty that the product will meet its
requirements and be fit for use. |
| Cost risk—the degree of uncertainty that the project budget will be maintained. |
| Support risk-- the degree of uncertainty that the software will be easy to correct,
adept, and enhance. |
| Schedule risk—the degree of uncertainty that the project schedule will be
maintained and that the product will be delivered on time. |
Thus categories impact based on characteristics that best fits the description in
Risk Projection.
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