A Process for Managing Risks in Distributed Teams

Distributed software projects represent particular risks that need careful managerial attention. The authors present a process for managing the risks that apply to distributed team structures. The process is based on the current literature on distributed team risks. It offers resolution techniques addressing these risks and guidelines for applying the techniques. Following CMMI's generic approach to risk management, the process describes steps that are readily understood and implemented. An illustration of the process is based on a large-scale, strategic software project with multiple subprojects that cross organizational and national boundaries. The authors include suggestions for tailoring the process to a particular project or organization. © 2010 IEEE.