Final answer:
Developers must perform a risk assessment before implementing source code changes to analyze potential security threats and provide the necessary information to the team lead. This assessment aligns with the spiral design process and helps secure stakeholder buy-in. It is a proactive approach to ensure system integrity and reliability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before changes are made to the source code, developers must undertake a risk assessment to evaluate any potential security impacts. This assessment serves as a crucial step in providing the required information to the team lead. It involves analyzing possible threats, vulnerabilities, and the impact of potential security breaches in the proposed change. A thorough risk assessment helps in identifying areas that might compromise the security of the application and also aids in taking preventative measures to mitigate such risks. This process aligns with the spiral design process where testing and evaluation of the prototype, or in this case, design changes can reveal weaknesses that need to be addressed through refinement.
Additionally, ensuring buy-in from relevant stakeholders is significant in the smooth implementation of changes. Consulting team members, potential users, or other stakeholders provides invaluable feedback that can shape the design to better meet the requirements and constraints. The assessment not only helps in securing the buy-in but also ensures that the design modifications adhere to the overarching business objectives and project plan.
The activity of conducting a risk assessment before implementing changes aligns with the best practices of software development. This proactive approach to security enables the team to anticipate and address potential threats before they are exploited, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the system throughout the design and development phases.