Linda G. Wallace

How Software Project Risk Affects Project Performance: An Investigation of the Dimensions of Risk and an Exploratory Model*

To reduce the high failure rate of software projects, managers need better tools to assess and manage software project risk. In order to create such tools, however, information systems researchers must first develop a better understanding of the dimensions of software project risk and how they can affect project performance. Progress in this area has been hindered by: (1) a lack of validated instruments for measuring software project risk that tap into the dimensions of risk that are seen as important by software project managers, and (2) a lack of theory to explain the linkages between various dimensions of software project risk and project performance. In this study, six dimensions of software project risk were identified and reliable and valid measures were developed for each. Guided by sociotechnical systems theory, an exploratory model was developed and tested. The results show that social subsystem risk influences technical subsystem risk, which, in turn, influences the level of project management risk, and ultimately, project performance. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.

Understanding software project risk: a cluster analysis

Understanding software project risk can help in reducing the incidence of failure. Building on prior work, software project risk was conceptualized along six dimensions. A questionnaire was built and 507 software project managers were surveyed. A cluster analysis was then performed to identify aspects of low, medium, and high risk projects. An examination of risk dimensions across the levels revealed that even low risk projects have a high level of complexity risk. For high risk projects, the risks associated with requirements, planning and control, and the organization become more obvious. The influence of project scope, sourcing practices, and strategic orientation on project risk dimensions was also examined. Results suggested that project scope affects all dimensions of risk, whereas sourcing practices and strategic orientation had a more limited impact. A conceptual model of project risk and performance was presented.

Software project risks and their effect on outcomes

How to identify the risks that interact to pose the most significant threats to successful project outcomes.

Tapping the power of text mining

Sifting through vast collections of unstructured or semistructured data beyond the reach of data mining tools, text mining tracks information sources, links isolated concepts in distant documents, maps relationships between activities, and helps answer questions.

An investigation of risk perception and risk propensity on the decision to continue a software development project

Abstract Many information system (IS) failures may result from the inadequate assessment of project risk. To help managers appraise project risk more accurately, IS researchers have developed a variety of risk assessment tools including checklists and surveys. Implicit in this line of research, however, is the assumption that the use of such devices will lead to more accurate risk perceptions that will, in turn, lead to more appropriate decisions regarding project initiation and continuation. Little is known, though, about the factors that influence risk perception or the interrelationships that exist among risk perception, risk propensity, and decisions about whether or not to continue a project. Without a better understanding of these relationships it is difficult to know whether the application of risk instruments will be an effective means for reducing the incidence of IS failure. This study presents the results of a laboratory experiment designed to: (1) examine the relative contribution of two factors that are believed to shape risk perception: probability that a loss will occur and the magnitude of the potential loss, and (2) explore the relative influence of risk perception and risk propensity on the decision of whether or not to continue a software development project. The results indicate that magnitude of potential loss is the more potent factor in shaping risk perception and that a significant relationship exists between risk perception and decision-making. The implications of these findings are discussed along with directions for future research.

The effects of optimistic and pessimistic biasing on software project status reporting

Anecdotal evidence suggests that project managers (PMs) sometime provide biased status reports to management. In our research project we surveyed PMs to explore possible motivations for bias, the frequency with which bias occurs, and the strength of the bias typically applied. We found that status reports were biased 60% of the time and that the bias was twice as likely to be optimistic as pessimistic. By applying these results to an information-theoretic model, we estimated that only about 10-15% of biased project status reports were, in fact, accurate and these occurred only when pessimistic bias offset project management status errors. There appeared to be no significant difference in the type or frequency of bias applied to high-risk versus low-risk projects. Our work should provide a better understanding of software project status reporting.

An Empirical Study of Web-Based Knowledge Community Success

Web-based knowledge communities (WKCs) allow individuals with similar interests to collectively engage in knowledge acquisition and exchange. In spite of increased research interest in the topic of online knowledge exchange and social interaction, few studies have identified factors that contribute to WKC success. In this study we apply Preeces community success framework of usability and sociability and the information system (IS) success model as conceptual foundations for an investigation into the factors that lead to WKC success. We present and empirically test a research model for WKC success using survey data from an IT-related WKC. We find that both usability and sociability factors have a significant effect on user satisfaction which leads to increased sense of community and a greater frequency of WKC usage. This research is one of the first attempts to empirically examine Web-based knowledge community success. The implications for research and practice are also discussed

Nonlinear ranking function representations in genetic programming-based ranking discovery for personalized search

Ranking function is instrumental in affecting the performance of a search engine. Designing and optimizing a search engines ranking function remains a daunting task for computer and information scientists. Recently, genetic programming (GP), a machine learning technique based on evolutionary theory, has shown promise in tackling this very difficult problem. Ranking functions discovered by GP have been found to be significantly better than many of the other existing ranking functions. However, current GP implementations for ranking function discovery are all designed utilizing the Vector Space model in which the same term weighting strategy is applied to all terms in a document. This may not be an ideal representation scheme at the individual query level considering the fact that many query terms should play different roles in the final ranking. In this paper, we propose a novel nonlinear ranking function representation scheme and compare this new design to the well-known Vector Space model. We theoretically show that the new representation scheme subsumes the traditional Vector Space model representation scheme as a special case and hence allows for additional flexibility in term weighting. We test the new representation scheme with the GP-based discovery framework in a personalized search (information routing) context using a TREC web corpus. The experimental results show that the new ranking function representation design outperforms the traditional Vector Space model for GP-based ranking function discovery.

The Effect of Belongingness on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the Use of Online Social Networks

Abstract Online social networks (OSNs) continue to have a transformative influence on how people socialize, partially because they help facilitate social contact that is crucial to fulfilling an innate need to belong. However, there is increasing evidence that some users suffer from OSN addiction, expressed as OSN obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Using the need-to-belong theory as our foundation, we seek a deeper understanding of the relationship between OSN belongingness and OSN OCD by examining the effects that OSN-specific uses and gratifications (U&Gs) and negative emotions have on it. We find that OSN belongingness is positively associated with use of the OSN to gratify needs for purposive value, self-discovery, maintaining interpersonal interconnectivity, social enhancement, and entertainment value. However, gratification of only the purposive value and social enhancement needs increases the likelihood of OSN OCD. Furthermore, we find that while OSN belongingness decreases the likelihood of OSN envy and anxiety, it slightly increases the likelihood of OSN fear of missing out; notably, all three of these negative emotions drive OSN OCD. Our findings indicate that healthy socialization use by well-adjusted individuals decreases OSN OCD risks, but those experiencing unstable emotional responses or unhealthy socialization on the OSN should avoid use.

How do you feel about your friends? Understanding situational envy in online social networks

Abstract Online social networks (OSNs) offer a stream of information that readily provides comparison opportunities, often resulting in feelings of envy. Two factors that drive OSN-situational envy (OSN-SE) are a user’s personality and needs. Leveraging the five-factor model of personality and uses and gratifications theory, we explore how personality traits and OSN use affect OSN-SE. Data from 625 survey responses indicate that Facebook users experience greater OSN-SE when they exhibit neuroticism and use Facebook to gratify needs to gather information, seek attention, or pass time, suggesting that envy-prone users should use OSN for specific purposes and avoid passive pursuits.