When and where should you manage risk?
Given that risk management is its own field independent of engineering management, it is not always appropriate for engineering managers to take on the responsibility. Risk management can be a full-time job on its own in many cases. You will need to determine the right level of risk management to engage in. To avoid setting yourself up for failure, don’t take full responsibility for risk management when it means you will have to sacrifice more essential duties as an engineering manager.
Some level of risk management can always be assumed as a leader within an organization. Understanding and managing the common risks in software is a good baseline to have in hand as an engineering manager.
In lean workplaces, such as early-stage start-ups with few employees and support roles, you may consider owning project risk management. If you do so, take care to balance it with your other responsibilities by choosing simple assessment methods...
