Managing uncertainty in software projects

Although it is impossible to predict problems that will occur in software projects, project managers can employ strategies that imbue their projects with greater resilience. Throughout a software project, a series of practices can be established to manage uncertainties. This paper proposes an approach to managing uncertainty in software projects. The approach seems to improve project performance and success. This work is based on the principles of evidence-based software engineering. We conduct an exploratory literature search and a systematic literature review. In addition, we carry out action research in a software development project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to evaluate and improve this approach. Finally, we held a focus group to evaluate the final proposed approach. The exploratory review helped to characterise the difference between risk and uncertainty. The systematic literature review revealed five methods and 18 practices for reducing uncertainties. The action research applied some of these techniques and investigated whether they contributed to a better uncertainty management. In the semi-structured interviews, practical points of view were added to the approach. This work defines an approach to uncertainty management and describes strategies that allow team members to explicitly formalise and manage uncertainty in software projects.