An experimental investigation of the impact of risk on software project management

Abstract

The ability to develop information systems within cost and schedule is a difficult task for the DoD. The Systems Dynamics Model of Software Project Management is an interactive, computer simulation which allows for the investigation of decision making in a software development environment. In this thesis the author investigates the impact of risk on dynamic decision making in software project management. Graduate students participate as project managers making management decisions pertaining to total staff acquisition, its allocation to development versus quality assurance, and cost and schedule adjustments. Data analyses reveal that risk does significantly impact decision making and in turn project performance in terms of final cost and duration.