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Question: Corning Software Co. is a custom software developmentcompany that has been hired to develop a un...

Corning Software Co. is a custom software development companythat has been hired to develop a unique piece of software that willbe used with test equipment to measure RF signals and analyze data.Specifications have been given to Corning Software to review, and acontract for development has been signed. The software package willconsist of a core element of programming, data extraction, analysisand storage, and an output user interface. The software will belocated on a desktop PC and will have to connect to several piecesof RF test equipment. A module will be designed that connects thePC to various pieces of test equipment.

Risks that have been identified include the following:development of the data extraction and analysis portion of thesoftware, successful development of an interface module thatconnects the PC to the test equipment, and correctly identifiedcomponents on the user interface that will meet the customer’sexpectations.

Corning Software will be using a predeveloped core module thathas been tested and proven to be adequate for this requirement.Corning Software has contracted an external software designer toassist in the data extraction and analysis portion of the software.The software designer will be working with an internal softwareengineer who is later revealed to be a former coworker; it isdiscovered that the two did not get along. Several attempts tocontact the customer to discuss details of the user interface haveresulted in a lack of information. Concerns as to the ability todevelop a module that can connect the PC to test equipment have notbeen resolved. Modules that might be capable of this activity havebeen discovered and might be procured. Several pieces of testequipment will need to be purchased to perform testing.

Questions:

List some of the key areas in executing purchases and why someof these areas pose a risk to a project.