Common software project risks in Software Engineering - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a common risk related to unclear project requirements?

Unclear or changing requirements can cause confusion, delays, and extra work because the team may not know exactly what to build.

beginner

How can poor communication affect a software project?

Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and mistakes because team members are not sharing important information effectively.

beginner

Why is underestimating time and resources a risk in software projects?

Underestimating time and resources can cause the project to run late or go over budget, leading to stress and lower quality work.

beginner

What risk does lack of skilled team members pose?

If the team lacks the right skills, the project may face delays, poor quality, or failure because tasks are not done correctly or efficiently.

intermediate

How can technology changes during a project be risky?

New technologies or tools introduced mid-project can cause delays or require rework if the team is not prepared or if the changes are not compatible.

Which of the following is a common risk caused by unclear project goals?

A Improved team morale

B Team confusion and rework

C Reduced project scope

D Faster project completion

Unclear goals cause confusion and often lead to redoing work to meet the correct objectives.

What is a likely effect of poor communication in a software project?

A Missed deadlines and errors

B Better understanding of tasks

C Increased budget savings

D Faster decision making

Poor communication often results in missed deadlines and mistakes due to lack of shared information.

Why is underestimating resources risky?

A It reduces team workload

B It improves project quality

C It leads to extra time and cost

D It speeds up delivery

Underestimating resources usually causes delays and increased costs.

What risk does a team lacking skills face?

A Faster project completion

B Lower project costs

C Higher quality output

D Delays and poor quality

A team without the right skills may cause delays and produce lower quality work.

Introducing new technology during a project can cause:

A Delays and rework

B Project acceleration

C Reduced training needs

D Simplified tasks

New technology mid-project can cause delays and require redoing work if not managed well.

Explain three common risks that can affect software projects and how they impact the project.

Think about what can cause delays, mistakes, or extra work.

Describe why having the right skills in a project team is important and what risks arise if skills are missing.

Consider how skills affect work quality and timing.