Complex Software Systems - An Assessment of Risks

This paper analyse the risks involved in developing the complex software systems (CoSS). CoSS are high cost, large and ambitious projects with complicated user interfaces, and stringent performance requirements. We acknowledge previous work of Charette (1996) which concluded that, large-scale project management is a risk management. Complex software development inevitably involves risks due to rapid development in communication technology. The identified risk include: technological complexity, technological novelty, system integration, and long schedule and developers capabilities. It is argued that these risks are the certain characteristics of Complex Software Systems (CoSS). Paper also highlights that software engineering practices are not scaling with large and complex software development. Paper also suggested few risk management practices (i.e. Modular Approach, Integrated solutions, Simplicity etc). The paper concludes with management lessons and further research issues.