Appendix A: Taxonomy of Software Risk

This appendix provides the definitions of the taxonomic groups in the class, element, and attribute categories of the Software Development Risk Taxonomy. An overview of the taxonomy groups and their hierarchical organization is provided in Figure A-1. A glossary of commonly used terms is provided in Appendix C.

 

Figure A-1  Taxonomy of Software Development Risks

A.  Product Engineering	B.  Developement Environment	C.  Program Constraints
1.  Requirements      a.  Stability      b.  Completeness      c.  Clarity      d.  Validity      e.  Feasibility      f.  Precedent      g.  Scale 2.  Design      a.  Functionality      b.  Difficulty      c.  Interfaces      d.  Performance      e.  Testability      f.  Hardware          Constraints      g.  Non-Developmental           Software 3.  Code and Unit Test      a.  Feasibility      b.  Testing      c.  Coding/Implement-           ation 4.  Integration and Test      a.  Environment      b.  Product           Integration      c.  System           Integration 5.  Engineering      Specialties      a.  Maintainability      b.  Reliability      c.  Safety      d.  Security      e.  Human Factors      f.  Specifications	1.  Development Issues      a.  Formality      b.  Suitability      c.  Process Control      d.  Familiarity      e.  Product Control 2.  Development System      a.  Capacity      b.  Suitability      c.  Usability      d.  Familiarity      e.  Reliability      f.  System Support      g.  Deliverability 3.  Management Process      a.  Planning      b.  Project           Organization      c.  Management           Experience      d.  Program Interfaces 4.  Management Methods      a.  Monitoring      b.  Personnel           Management      c.  Quality Assurance      d.  Configuration           Management 5.  Work Environment      a.  Quality Attitude      b.  Cooperation      c.  Communication      d.  Morale	1.  Resources      a.  Schedule      b.  Staff      c.  Budget      d.  Facilities 2.  Contract      a.  Type of contract      b.  Restrictions      c.  Dependencies 3.  Program Interfaces      a.  Customer      b.  Associate           Contractors      c.  Subcontractors      d.  Prime Contractor      e.  Corporate           Management      f.  Vendors      g.  Politics

The taxonomy may be used to classify many different factors associated with the development of software-dependent systems such as development tasks, quality procedures, and sources and consequences of risk. However, the definitions as presented here are designed to facilitate classification of the risks themselves, as associated with the development process.

A. Product Engineering

B. Development Environment

C. Program Constraints