Managing project risks with architecture modelling

IT project managers always face uncertainties when planning projects that use new technologies. In these projects, risks or uncertainties often arise in critical areas such as technical feasibility, technology implications of requirements, and organisational capabilities. As IT project managers, we prepare software development project plans that include budgets and schedules for stakeholders’ approval. But, accurately planning software development projects that involve new technologies can be difficult when the architecture risks are largely unknown. To control these risks, technical feasibility studies or a pilot project should be undertaken before project planning commences. This step is often ignored. While the excitement or urgency pushes a new project forward, the risks of applying new technologies can be conveniently overlooked because the team is not aware of the unknown risks. Architecture modelling could help alleviate these problems