How to Manage Software Development Risks in an Agile Environment

Every mobile app development project involves some degree of risk. Depending on the nature of the project, these risks can vary, but they can typically be grouped into five categories.
Five Types of Software Development Risk
1. Budget Risk: the risk of projects going over budget. Perhaps the most common risk in software development and often tied to other risks.
2. Personnel Risk: the risk of losing or absence of project team members. Even if for a short period, this can result in delays and errors.
3. Knowledge Risk: when there are knowledge silos or the transfer of information is imperfect. The process of relearning results in additional labor, time, and resources.
4. Productivity Risk: this risk is common in long projects, mainly when deadlines and goals are long-term. This environment creates a lack of immediacy which results in a lack of urgency of work.
5. Time Risk: product delays are all-too-common in software development, typically the results of poor planning, unrealistic timelines, and the inability to adapt to changing product requirements.
Managing These Risks in Agile Development
The agile methodology inherently addresses many of these risks. That said, they are still prevalent in many agile environments, often because of project team mistakes, planning errors, failures in process, and unexpected changes as products evolve. Below we will address each software development risk and how it can be managed to mitigate delays, mistakes, and other barriers to shipping a successful product.

In product development, you necessarily make assumptions that cannot be proven or disproven until more information becomes available. As development progresses, objectives or goals may shift, or the product may need to pivot to be viable.

Rolling wave planning is designed to account for this. Teams make product decisions when they are in the best position to make them, rather than presenting very detailed plans at the beginning of the project. Therefore, you make actionable decisions that are informed by new knowledge and the progression of the product. This mitigates budget risk because you do not have to waste time and resources for re-planning.

While rolling wave planning helps keep your project under budget, it’s crucial to create a budgeting plan that acknowledges the entire scope of the project. Many companies underestimate the cost of developing a functional mobile app and make several mistakes in the budgeting process. Every software development project is different, so it’s important to have a clear understanding of the services you require.



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