FiveCoreRisks

Last edit March 28, 2004
In WaltzingWithBears, TomDeMarco and TimothyLister identify the five most common software project risks in their experience.

They are:

inherent schedule flaw
that some flaw in the schedule setting practice will result in an agreement to work to an unreachable goal

FeatureCreep
that changes and additions to the requirements will push the project over budget and schedule

employee turnover
that key staff leaving the company during the project will push up the budget and project duration

ambiguous specification
that a breakdown in communication at the specification stage leads to an ambiguous and unsuitable contract

poor productivity
that a failure to accurately estimate a team's performance will lead to project overrun


See RiskManagement