Technology Related Risks on Virtual Software Development Projects

Abstract

Virtual software development projects have a greater reliance on technology than traditional co-located projects because of the need to leverage technology to facilitate or enhance communication among virtual team members. The goal of this research was to determine whether technology-related risks pose a greater risk to virtual projects than to traditional projects. Seven technology-related risks were identified from the literature, individual interviews with IT practitioners, and a focus group. Then 154 practitioners, primarily project managers, participated in an electronic survey that explored the impact of these factors. Results indicate two technology-related risks exhibited a significantly greater impact on virtual IT projects. Project managers need to be aware that (1) traditional project risks can have greater impact on virtual projects, and (2) of the technology-related risk factors, inexperience with the company and its processes and inadequate technical resources have been shown here to pose a greater threat to virtual projects than to traditional projects.