Proactive risk management methods for software engineering excellence

Risk management applied to software intensive programs is an emerging technology of strategic importance. Risk management is informed decision-making under uncertainty that deals with future consequences of present decisions. This dissertation establishes the role of risk management in software engineering. Barriers to adopting risk management technology are predicted through use of a general two-dimensional framework based on theories of organizational and community-wide technology transfer. Critical success factors for transitioning risk management technology into an organization are identified. A maturity model for risk management practices is developed to understand the essential elements of risk management, and how these elements evolve to increasing levels of effectiveness and efficiency. Proactive risk management methods are tested and evaluated to provide a recommended approach to effectively using risk management methods for increased software engineering quality.