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Article
Risk Profiles in Individual Software Development and Packaged Software Implementation Projects: A Delphi Study at a German-Based Financial Services Company
Information Systems and Analytics
  • Stefan Hoermann
  • Michael Schermann, Santa Clara University
  • Marco Aust
  • Helmut Krcmar
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2014
Publisher
IGI Global
Abstract

The aim of this paper is to compare risk profiles of individual software development (ISD) and packaged software implementation (PSI) projects. While researchers have investigated risks in either PSI projects or ISD projects, an integrated perspective on how the risk profiles of these two types of information system (IS) projects differ is missing. To explore these differences, this work conducted a Delphi study at a German-based financial services company. The results suggest that: First, ISD projects seem to be more heterogeneous and face a larger variety of risks than the more straightforward PSI projects. Second, ISD projects seem to be particularly prone to risks related to sponsorship, requirements, and project organization. Third, PSI projects tend to be predominantly subject to risks related to technology, project planning, and project completion. Finally, in contrast to available lists of risks in IS projects and irrespective of the project type, the paper found a surprisingly high prominence of technology and testing-related risks.

Comments

This paper appears in International Journal of Information Technology Project Management. Copyright © 2014, IGI Global, www.igi-global.com. Posted by permission of the publisher.

Citation Information
Hoermann, S., Schermann, M., Aust, M., and Krcmar, H. (2014): ”Risk Profiles in Individual Software Development and Packaged Software Implementation Projects: A Delphi Study at a German-Based Financial Services Company”, International Journal of Information Technology Project Management (5:4), 1-23. http://doi.org/10.4018/ijitpm.2014100101