Risk Management in Software Development Projects

Rating:
Summary: Straightforward & basic
Review: This book is a basic and relatively vanilla approach to software project risk management. If you are well versed in project risk management, and especially if you work in the software development domain, this book will probably prove too basic. However, if you are new to either project risk management, or how it applies to software development this book is fairly complete in its coverage and is technically accurate.

After introducing software risk management within the context of a development project the author provides excellent guidance for developing a risk management strategy, including roles and responsibilities, and how to identify, prioritize and mitigate or eliminate common risks.

The risks cited cover the full spectrum of those common to development, ranging from administrative (and legal) to technical risks. Among the highlights of this book include documenting risks, risk reviews (a best practice), assessment approaches, tools and techniques, and how to develop and implement risk management plans.

I also like the checklists, process-oriented approach, and self-assessments at the end of each chapter. This book is a good introductory text to a complex subject, and provides sound guidance plus a wealth of best practices. Seasoned software project managers will probably find "Managing Risk: Methods for Software Systems Development" (ISBN 0201255928) more useful because that book covers advanced techniques.