An Integrative Contingency Model of Software Project Risk Management.

Author List: Barki, Henri; Rivard, Suzanne; Talbot, Jean;

Journal of Management Information Systems, 2001, Volume 17, Issue 4, Page 37-69.

Drawing both from the IS literature on software project risk management and the contingency research in Organization Theory literature, the present study develops an integrative contingency model of software project risk management. Adopting a profile deviation perspective of fit, the outcome of a software development project (Performance) is hypothesized to be influenced by the fit between the project's risk (Risk Exposure) and how project risk is managed (Risk Management Profile). The research model was tested with longitudinal data obtained from project leaders and key users of 75 software projects. The results support the contingency model proposed and suggest that in order to increase project performance a project's risk management profile needs to vary according to the project's risk exposure. Specifically, high-risk projects were found to call for high information processing capacity approaches in their management. However, the most appropriate management approach was found to depend on the performance criterion used. When meeting project budgets was the performance criterion, successful high-risk projects had high levels of internal integration, as well as high levels of formal planning. When system quality was the performance criterion, successful high-risk projects had high levels of user participation.

Keywords: contingency models; software project management; software project risk

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List of Topics

#135	0.231	project projects development management isd results process team developed managers teams software stakeholders successful complex develop contingencies problems greater planning
#264	0.226	risk risks management associated managing financial appropriate losses expected future literature reduce loss approach alternative mitigate failures failure cause mitigation
#165	0.140	uncertainty contingency integration environmental theory data fit key using model flexibility perspective environment perspectives high conditions processing examine issue uncertain
#93	0.115	performance results study impact research influence effects data higher efficiency effect significantly findings impacts empirical significant suggest outcomes better positive
#191	0.079	model models process analysis paper management support used environment decision provides based develop use using help literature mathematical presented formulation
#232	0.070	software development product functionality period upgrade sampling examines extent suggests factors considered useful uncertainty previous called complementarities greater cost present