A recent insurance industry television advertisement portrays individuals parachuting, bungee jumping, and participating in other seemingly dangerous activities. The participants are then asked to drive on US highways without insurance coverage. When presented with this situation, the individuals flee in fear. The risk associated with driving without insurance is considered too great.

We consistently see software programs/projects that blindly venture forward with little or no consideration for the risks which may be encountered along the way. Some of these projects face risks similar in magnitude to that portrayed in the above insurance example. This lack of proper software risk management places numerous software projects at risk of failure.

Risk management is the set of management processes that proactively deal with issues before they become problems. It has consistently been identified as one of the key management and technical processes necessary for assuring program success.

The purpose of the The Risks of Not Being Risk Conscious: Software Risk Management Basics seminar is to provide risk management instruction to those responsible for software projects. This seminar will educate attendees of the value and rational for performing risk management. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical training to assist them in properly identifying, analyzing, and mitigating program/project risks.