Abstract
Risk management is an important process in Software Engineering. However, it can be perceived as somewhat contrary to the more lightweight processes used in Agile methods. Thus an appropriate and realistic risk management model is required as well as tool support that minimizes human effort. We propose the use of software agents to carry out risk management tasks and make use of the data collected from the project environment to detect risks. This paper describes the underlying risk management model in an Agile risk tool where software agents are used to support identification, assessment and monitoring of risk. It demonstrates the interaction between agents, agents’ compliance with designated rules and how agents can react to changes in project environment data. The results, demonstrated using case studies, show that agents are of use for detecting risk and reacting dynamically to changes in project environment thus, help to minimize the human effort in managing risk.
Highlights
Risk management is recognized as a key process area in software development
Agile Software Development uses an iterative approach to software construction, aimed at reducing development time, prioritising value, while improving software quality and inherently reducing risk (Cockburn and Highsmith 2001)
This is achieved by using software agents to carry out risk identification, risk assessment and risk monitoring, the agents making use of data collected from the project environment
Summary
Risk management is recognized as a key process area in software development. Most risk management literature relates to heavyweight plan-driven processes and typically assumes that, for example, requirements have been agreed and signed off in advance of development. This paper intends to demonstrate the idea of software agents to help manage risks in project development. This is achieved by using software agents to carry out risk identification, risk assessment and risk monitoring, the agents making use of data collected from the project environment. The proposed Agile risk tool (ART) model is discussed, focusing on the development of the tool. This shows how the risk management activities are decomposed into agents, as well as how the interaction between agents is used to ensure that risks are appropriately managed. The big advantage of the approach is that software agents can be used to detect risk and react dynamically to changes in agile project environment. Evidence is provided for the feasibility and applicability of the approach and some conclusions and discussion is given
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
