Managing Project Risk (Project Risk Management)
Managing Project Risk (Project Risk Management)
Question 1
In managing the risks of your project is it advised that you as project manager adhere
to the tried and tested risk management principles. Identify these principles and
appraise them by applying them to the project.
Question 2
Appraise the theory of contingency plans, fall-back plans, and contingency reserves
and apply them to the project. A discussion of relevant examples to the project for
each will enhance your response.
Question 3
Risks can also be identified according to lifecycle phases of the project. In the early
life-cycle phases, the total project risk is high because of lack of information. In the
later phases, the financial risk is the greatest (Kloppenborg:2015). Use the lifecycle
phase risk identification to identify the risks for the project. A clear discussion of each
risk is required.
Question 4
The primary output of risk identification is the risk register. Compile a risk register
for the project ensuring at least TEN (10) project risks are recorded. Thereafter,
explain the contents of a risk register.
Question 5
Scenario analysis is the most commonly used technique for analysing risk. Use the
scenario analysis table to record at least TEN (10) identified risks for the project.
Thereafter, evaluate each risk and justify the impact assessment.
Question 1
Introduction
It is critical for me to successfully manage the risks connected with the project as the
main project manager for the bridge construction on the N3 motorway in
Johannesburg. Adhering to tried-and-true risk management concepts can assist
mitigate potential hazards and ensure the project's success. The following are
significant risk management principles to consider:
Involve Stakeholders
Engaging key stakeholders throughout the process is essential for effective risk
management. Consultation with local people, transportation officials, building
specialists, and other important stakeholders is part of this process. Engaging
stakeholders aids in getting insights, gathering input, and addressing their concerns.
Conclusion
Potential risks can be foreseen and handled proactively by using these risk
management techniques to the N3 highway bridge project. This increases the
likelihood of a successful project delivery while reducing accidents and associated
fatalities.
Question 2
Introduction
Contingency plans, fall-back plans, and contingency reserves are critical components
of project management that assist in dealing with unanticipated events or hazards that
may develop throughout the course of a project. This essay will present a scientific
description of each idea, analyze their contributions to project management, and
provide pertinent instances of how they might be used to the construction of
Johannesburg's N3 highway bridge project.
Risk contingency planning in a construction project begins with the project's size
before considering other aspects. This assists the project in establishing a baseline for
uncertainties inside the project and outlining both external and internal risks while
implementing suitable measures (Johnson, M, 2018). Fry (2013) stated that risk
contingency planning provides a useful structure for identifying, quantifying, and
prioritizing risks, thereby determining the project's schedule and assigning resources.
A lack of risk contingency planning can lead to project cost and time overruns. A
smart risk contingency plan, on the other hand, can be tailored based on prior similar
projects while taking the uniqueness of that particular project into account. Risk
contingency is defined as a sum of money included in a budget to indicate uncertainty
(Spacey, J. 2017). Bello & Odusami, K. T. (2009) highlighted that contingencies are
included to the development budget as an estimated fund, providing the client and
project team with the necessary flexibility to cover for uncertainties and risks that
may affect the completion of set project objectives. It provides as an additional
budget for the project owner to account for uncertainties that may result in cost
overruns.Most projects and operational operations encounter unexpected costs;
consequently, unexpected expenditures are to be expected. As a result, including a
risk contingency in a budget may be a standard practice in many projects (Tseng C. et
al. 2009).
Fall-Back Plans
Definition
Contingency reserves are resources set aside, such as time or money, to address
known risks or uncertainties. They operate as a buffer or cushion, absorbing the
effects of prospective risks without jeopardizing project objectives.
For the N3 Highway Bridge Project, for example, a contingency reserve could be
established in the project budget to account for anticipated cost overruns owing to
unforeseen obstacles, such as changes in building material costs or unexpected ground
conditions. The reserve would give the project financial flexibility, allowing required
alterations to be made without jeopardizing the overall scope and quality of the
project.
Conclusion
Finally, backup plans, fall-back plans, and contingency reserves are essential project
management tools for dealing with unforeseen events and hazards. These approaches
can be applied to the N3 highway bridge project to assure project success and prevent
potential disruptions. Contingency plans' proactive approach, adaptability of fall-back
plans, and the financial cushion offered by contingency reserves all contribute to good
risk management and project resilience.
Question 3
Introduction
Eldash (2012) defines risk as "an unexpected event or condition that may have either
positive or negative effects on project objectives." The project objectives are the
things that project staff desire to accomplish while conducting the project, and they
serve as the yardstick for measuring project success. A risk is any incident that has the
potential to harm or benefit these objectives.Although risk and uncertainty are closely
related terminology that are sometimes used interchangeably in project management,
they differ. Risk is a circumstance in which the prospective outcomes of a decision
are known. In other words, risk actions can be predicted based on the likelihood and
magnitude of occurrence. Uncertainty, on the other hand, refers to a scenario in which
an individual is doubtful of future consequences. Decision makers are unable to
predict the outcome of such an incident, most likely due to insufficient or no
knowledge, making ambiguity a challenging condition to resolve. Risk, as opposed to
uncertainty, can be prepared for.
As a result, in project management, every risk is defined by two crucial factors: the
likelihood of the risk occurring and the effect/impact of the risk when it does occur.
Given the extent to which risk can jeopardize project objectives, it becomes critical
for project personnel to carefully plan for it. (Kloppenborg, 2014) defines risk
planning as a means of explaining how to manage risk activities in a project.
Understanding the project's objectives is critical to developing an effective risk
management strategy.
Given the extent to which risk can jeopardize project objectives, it becomes critical
for project personnel to carefully plan for it. (Kloppenborg, 2014) defines risk
planning as a means of explaining how to manage risk activities in a project.
Understanding the project's objectives is critical to developing an effective risk
management strategy. The project manager should take the lead in this process to
ensure that team members understand project objectives and the priorities of the
project's numerous stakeholders. Risk management is not a separate entity from the
project plan; rather, it is an intrinsic component of the project plan.
Risks in project management can be detected and addressed at various stages of the
project lifecycle. Early phases of a project can contain a higher level of uncertainty
and lack of information, resulting in distinct risks than later phases. As the project
proceeds, many forms of hazards become increasingly visible. We can identify and
explain the risks associated with each phase of the project lifecycle in the context of
the N3 highway bridge project.
The project is conceptualized and feasibility assessments are undertaken during the
commencement phase. During this stage, risks may include:
Risks of Feasibility
Uncertainty over the bridge's technical, environmental, and economic feasibility,
which may influence the decision to proceed with the project.
Funding Risks
Inadequate money or trouble obtaining financial resources for the project, which
could impede its start-up or advancement.
Phase of Planning
Defining project objectives, scope, schedule, and budget are all part of the planning
phase. During this stage, risks may include:
Scope Creep
The scope of the project grows beyond the initial concept, resulting in additional
expenses, delays, and potential disputes.
During the execution phase, project activities are carried out in accordance with the
stated plans. During this stage, risks may include:
Risks to Safety
Accidents or accidents during the construction process as a result of inadequate safety
measures, which can result in delays and legal consequences.
Quality Concerns
Poor craftsmanship or inadequate materials that degrade the bridge's quality, resulting
in future maintenance concerns or structural defects.
Tracking project progress, finding deviations, and executing corrective steps are all
part of this phase. During this stage, risks may include:
Schedule Dangers
Unexpected delays, such as bad weather or labour strikes, have an impact on the
project's timeframe and completion date.
Communication Dangers
Ineffective communication among stakeholders, resulting in misconceptions,
decision-making delays, and potential conflicts.
Phase of Closure
Project handover, evaluation, and finalization are all part of the close phase. During
this stage, risks may include:
Transitional Risks
Difficulties in handing over the constructed bridge to the appropriate authorities or
stakeholders, including challenges with maintenance, operations, and ownership
transfer.
Legal Risks
Legal risks include legal challenges, claims, or litigation stemming from contractual
issues, environmental rules, or community concerns, all of which could have an
influence on project closure and reputation.
Conclusion
Project managers can build focused risk management methods to mitigate and solve
potential issues by analyzing the risks related to each step of the project lifecycle. To
reduce the impact of identified risks on the N3 highway bridge project, it is critical to
undertake extensive risk assessments, involve relevant stakeholders, and implement
appropriate risk response strategies.
Question 4
Risk Register
Risk ID Risk Likelihood Impact Risk Owner Risk Response
Description Strategy
R1 Accidents Medium High Construction Implement
during Manager stringent safety
construction protocols,
provide proper
safety training
to workers, and
conduct
regular
inspections.
R2 Budget High High Project Monitor
overruns Manager project costs
closely, track
expenditures
against the
budget, and
implement
strict financial
controls
R3 Delays in Medium High Project Establish a
obtaining Coordinator proactive
necessary approach to
permits and obtaining
approvals permits,
engage with
relevant
authorities
early, and
allocate
resources for
expedited
processes.
R4 Unforeseen Medium High Geotechnical Conduct
ground Engineer thorough soil
conditions investigations,
employ
appropriate
foundation
design
techniques, and
have
contingency
plans in place
for potential
ground-related
issues.
R5 Design Medium Medium Design Maintain open
changes Team communication
requested with
by stakeholders,
stakeholders carefully
evaluate design
change
requests, and
assess their
impact on
project scope,
schedule, and
budget.
R6 Adverse Medium Medium Project Develop
weather Manager contingency
conditions plans for
weather-related
disruptions,
closely
monitor
weather
forecasts, and
adjust the
project
schedule as
necessary
R7 Community Low Medium Stakeholder Conduct
opposition Engagement regular
and protests Manager community
consultations,
address
concerns
promptly, and
develop
effective
communication
strategies to
manage
community
expectations.
R8 Inadequate Medium High Project Implement a
contractor Manger rigorous
performance contractor
selection
process,
establish clear
performance
expectations in
contracts, and
conduct
regular
performance
evaluations.
R9 Material Low Medium Procurement Maintain
shortages or Manager strong
delays relationships
with suppliers,
diversify
supply sources,
and have
backup options
in case of
material
shortages or
delays.
R10 Changes in Medium Medium Legal Stay updated
government Advisor with relevant
regulations regulations,
engage with
regulatory
bodies, and
adapt project
plans and
processes
accordingly.
Risk ID: A unique identifier for each identified risk, which helps track and refer to the
risk throughout the project.
Risk Description: A clear and concise description of the risk, highlighting the
potential event or situation that may occur and impact the project.
Likelihood: An assessment of the probability or likelihood of the risk occurring, often
categorized as low, medium, or high.
Risk Owner: The individual or team responsible for managing and mitigating the risk.
They are accountable for implementing appropriate risk response strategies.
Risk Response Strategy: The planned approach or actions to address the identified
risk, which includes specific measures or steps to mitigate or minimize its impact on
the project.
The risk register serves as a central repository for all identified risks and provides a
structured framework for documenting and managing risks throughout the project
lifecycle. It helps project managers and stakeholders to have a comprehensive
understanding of the project's potential risks and enables effective risk analysis,
planning, and response. The risk register is a dynamic document that is regularly
updated and reviewed as new risks emerge, existing risks change in likelihood or
impact, or risk response strategies evolve.
By maintaining a well-structured risk register, project managers can ensure that risks
are effectively identified, assessed, and managed, leading to better decision-making,
improved project performance, and increased chances of project success. The risk
register serves as a valuable tool throughout the project lifecycle, providing a
centralized view of all identified risks and their corresponding risk response
strategies. It enables project managers to proactively monitor and mitigate risks,
minimizing their potential negative impact on project objectives.
The risk register plays a crucial role in risk communication and stakeholder
management. It helps project managers effectively communicate the identified risks to
stakeholders, allowing for a shared understanding of the project's potential challenges
and the strategies in place to address them. By being transparent about risks and
response plans, project managers can foster trust, gain stakeholder support, and
manage expectations effectively.
Furthermore, the risk register facilitates risk monitoring and tracking. As the project
progresses, the risk register is regularly updated with new risks, changes in the
likelihood or impact of existing risks, and the implementation of risk response
strategies. This allows project managers to monitor the effectiveness of the chosen
risk response actions, make necessary adjustments, and ensure that risks are
adequately managed throughout the project's lifecycle.
In addition to serving as a reference tool for the project team, the risk register also
supports organizational learning and future project improvement. By documenting the
risks encountered and the corresponding response strategies, project managers can
capture valuable lessons learned. These insights can inform future projects, helping
project managers anticipate similar risks, develop more effective risk response
strategies, and continuously improve the organization's risk management practices.
It is important to note that the risk register should not be treated as a static document.
It should be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the evolving nature of risks
throughout the project. Project managers should actively engage the project team and
stakeholders in the risk management process, encouraging them to contribute their
insights and perspectives on identified risks and potential response strategies. This
collaborative approach ensures a more comprehensive and accurate risk register,
enhancing the overall effectiveness of risk management efforts.
Conclusion
Question 5
The impact assessment is justified based on the specific characteristics and potential
outcomes of each risk in the context of the N3 Highway Bridge Project. Let's further
evaluate and justify the impact assessments for the identified risks:
R5 - Design changes requested by stakeholders impact project timeline and costs: The
medium impact assessment is justified by the potential effects of design changes on
the project timeline, budget, and coordination efforts. While design changes can
introduce additional costs and delays, they may not have as significant an impact as
other risks.
Conclusion
The justification of impact assessments takes into account various factors, including
historical data, industry benchmarks, expert judgment, and the specific characteristics
of the N3 Highway Bridge Project. It is essential to regularly review and update the
impact assessments throughout the project as new information becomes available and
risks evolve. This allows project managers to maintain a comprehensive
understanding of the potential impacts and adapt risk response strategies accordingly.
References
Bello, W. A. and Odusami, K. T, (2009). Project Variables Influencing Contingency
on Construction Contract in Nigeria RICS COBRA Research Conference pp 204–14.
Tseng C, Zhao, T. and Fu, C. C, (2009). Contingency estimation using a real options
approach Constr. Manag. Econ. 27 1073–87