Using SoDIS as a Risk Analysis Process: A Teaching Perspective

There are several difficulties we face when showing our students key processes and techniques for software development. In this paper, issues related to teaching students how to manage risks in software projects are profiled. The concepts and process for implementing Software Development Impact Statements (SoDIS) are outlined; with its supporting CASE tool the “SoDIS Project Auditor” being described. Different ways of applying the SoDIS process and the CASE tool are demonstrated, through some brief illustrative case studies. The paper suggests ways of using the process and the tool to enhance teaching in computing courses including software development projects, software engineering, project management, ethics and professionalism. This work occurs under the umbrella of the SoDIS SEPIA collaborative research programme which aims to promulgate use of the SoDIS process, in both industrial and educational computing spheres.