As with any other enterprise, software development comes with its risks. Risks are potential issues that may arise during the software development process, which could impact the project’s completion. Depending on how well the developers deal with these risks, it could be the make or break for their company. Early detection of the risks involved is not enough; proactive steps are needed to address them.
The Risk Management Process
Identifying risks in software development can be time-consuming and require a clear understanding of the technology and its environment. For those reasons, a software development project may seem daunting. But the rewards of doing the project outweigh the perceived inconvenience it might pose.
Risk management is a four-step process:
- Identification
- Analysis and prioritization
- Prevention and mitigation
- Monitoring
Step 1: Identification
During the planning stage of software development, one should be able to identify any risks that can and may arise during the development phase. The earlier developers can identify the risks, the earlier they can prepare to address them.
To do this step, brainstorm things that may go wrong while working on a project, extract data on the risks that occurred in previous projects, or combine both.
Step 2: Analysis and prioritization
Once the risks have been identified, they should be analyzed to determine the problems that cause them. If more than one risk is identified, the developer must be able to determine the proper order that needs to be addressed to prevent the risks from blowing out of proportion.
Developers may prioritize the risks based on their severity, likelihood of occurrence, and impact should they happen.
Step 3: Prevention and Mitigation
Developers can take this proactive step to employ means to eliminate or mitigate the risks effectively. An example of a mitigation action is narrowing the project scope by eliminating or minimizing non-value-adding project activities or requirements.
Step 4: Monitoring
Continuous monitoring alerts you if new risks are discovered. It helps you determine if the mitigation actions succeeded in preventing or mitigating the risks. Should the risk still happen despite the preventive actions, constant monitoring can help you gauge the impact of the risk and the magnitude of the damage brought on by the risk.
Common Risks in Software Development and How to Address Them
Below are common risks encountered by developers and tips on addressing each.
Improper Planning
Planning a software development project is not just identifying logistical requirements for its completion. There should be proper and thorough planning for executing each phase, including anticipating what could go wrong. When done properly, planning enables developers to avoid any unnecessary surprises.
Botched Timelines
Ideally, a software concept is developed into a program and launched immediately. But let’s face it, a dozen factors come into play when deciding on a timeline. Each phase must be properly laid out so that an ample amount of time can be given to each, something that is not too long to compromise the viability of the software but not too short to sacrifice its quality. Giving impossible deadlines is not only counter-productive, but it can also outdo whatever good progress that you already had. Moreover, you need to anticipate potential causes of delay during planning so you can decide on a more realistic timeline.
Inadequate Personnel
The project team should be in full complement, with the responsibilities of each member properly defined to avoid overlaps. Having to perform more than one role could cause burnout in the employees. Proper workload monitoring by managers and getting the right people with the right skills should do the trick.
Budgeting Issues
The budget dictates how large the scope of a project can go. Deviations in the projected budget are not new regarding software development. However, these must also be properly considered to avoid any hold-ups in the implementation.
Undefined scope and unforeseen events
During planning, the developers should look beyond the immediate demands of the project. List down the basic requirements of the software. Brainstorm the add-ons so you can include them in the project scope. Think of all eventualities to allow some room for adjustments and contingencies. Otherwise, it would be difficult for the project team to adjust should an unexpected event occur.
Effects of Proper Risk Management in Software Development
What benefits does risk management bring to software development? Here are three:
When risks are properly managed, you can eliminate them or minimize them if you cannot eliminate them. The software development process becomes more stable and secure by addressing these risks. The project team can focus better on developing the software and spend less time worrying about the risks that threaten the project.
Better results are achieved with the ill effects of these risks mitigated or avoided.
Conclusion
Software development has its share of risks, which, when left unmanaged, can be disastrous for the developers.
There is no better way to get ahead than to prepare. That is the basic rule of software development risk management. By knowing and spotting potential risks and acting on them immediately, developers can anticipate any issues and spell the software development’s success.