An Architecture Thought Tool I use when looking to identify any Risks in a projects or assignment is to use the STORMCLOUD method.

This involves identifying the risks by going through the following areas:

• Schedule
• Technology
• Organisation
• Resources
• Methods
• Compatibility
• Lifecycle
• Over-engineering
• Users
• Dependencies
• Suppliers

Once identified its then a case of mitigating the risks that can be and calling out those that cannot.

Using this method is just one of many, but helps focus on the important areas to consider.