Risk Management Framework for Software Development Life Cycle Projects

Abstract

Risk management is important in Software Development Life Cycle projects because software work often faces uncertainty in requirements, cost, schedule, technology, quality, security, resources, and stakeholder expectations. SDLC projects may fail or experience delays when risks are identified late, poorly documented, or not linked to project activities such as planning, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Traditional project monitoring usually focuses on progress after problems occur, but this does not provide enough control over risks that can affect delivery quality and business continuity. This article presents a risk management framework for SDLC projects by focusing on risk identification, risk classification, probability-impact assessment, mitigation planning, monitoring, and periodic review. The study explains how a structured framework can help project teams prioritize critical risks, assign ownership, track mitigation actions, and reduce uncertainty throughout the software lifecycle. The article concludes that effective risk management strengthens project control, reduces failure probability, improves decision-making, and supports reliable software delivery.