Risk Management Overview

Abstract

Projects are part of a dynamic and fast changeling world. Therefore there are a degree of uncertainty and unpredictability in projects. In-order to minimize uncertainties and unforeseeable events related to the project, risk are identified and managed throughout the project life cycle, Rumsfeld's Unknown-Knowns and Risk categorization (mitigate, control, monitor).

Risk management is impotent tool to use in project management, even-though the Risk management is only estimates of potential future situations. Risk identification help the manager get an overview of potential obstacles that can occur or prevent the team from achieving their goals. By identifying the risks, managers can map them and initiate appropriate measurements to counter them. Risk management is highly impotent discipline and is therefore present in most projects.

The Risk Management Process is a continuous process, which can be divided in to divided in to five steps steps

The risks are identified and managed by using quantitative & qualitative tools. This Wiki-article will focus on Risk categorization, Risk Matrix, actions to take against identified risks and Rumsfeld's Unknown-Knowns. Furthermore describing inherent and residual risks, and parameters which a company can use to measure impact. At last limitations and advantages of Risk Management will be discussed. Furthermore this article will give a brief overview of other relevant reading material.

Please note that this article only covers the risk (threat) management of a project and does not look in to opportunities management (risks with positive effect).

Ref Test

Introduction

Risk definition

Risk can be defined as follows: "Risk is an uncertain event or condition that if occurs, has a positive or negative effect on one or more project objectives such as time, cost and quality, or effect of uncertainty on objectives" All activities in a organization involve risks. These risks can be managed by identifying it, analyzing it and then evaluating whether the risk should be modified by risk treatment in order to satisfy the organization's risk criteria. During this process risk managers communicate with stakeholders and monitor the risk. The controls are modified in-order to ensure that the amount of risk treatment is minimized. [p. V]

Risk identification (RI) is the "process of finding, recognizing and describing risks" [p. 4]. RI involves the identification of risk sources, event, causes and potential consequences. The identification can involve historical data, theoretical analysis, expert opinions, and stakeholder needs [p. 4].

However identifications is only the first step, managers also need to analyze the risk so the most significant ones can be deltwith on a ongoing basis [p. 219].

Rumsfeld's Unknown-Knowns

The different nature of risks, can be categorized with former US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld's definition. Rumsfeld categorizes risks as the following  :

• Known-Knowns describes the things we know we know. An example could be the fact that we know that there are some risks in every project or maybe learning's from a previous project.
• Known-Unknowns describes the things we know are uncertain. For example the delays because of third party fails to deliver on deadline or human errors administration wise or misunderstandings.
• Unknown-Unknowns describes the things that we in noway could have seen or expected. This could be a sudden death, war or terrorist attack.
• Unknown-Knowns describes the things we should have known, but we for various reason (mostly complexity) don't. An example could be when a terrorist attack happens on American solid, to some extent this is a Unknown-Known for the CIA [p. 219-220].

Risk Matrix

Risk Matrix

When the risk elements to be managed is identified, the next step is to ensure that either the likelihood is reduced or the impact of that activity occurring.

The risk matrix is one of the most used tools for risk evaluation. The matrix can be used to determine the size of a risk & whether or not a risk is sufficiently controlled.

The risk-matrix is compiled of two dimensions Probability (also called likelihood) and Severity (also called impact). Likelihood is the measure of how likely a given event is, and impact is the effect the risk can do. The combination of these two dimensions gives a collective risk rating in the matrix. Usually the risk-matrix consists of 3 different risk ratings: Low (Acceptable), Medium and high (Not acceptable), however some matrices also have a 4. level very high .

The horizontal and vertical scale can have different values or tags, however in this case both impact and probability have a scale from 1-5. An example of a risk rating could have a probability of 3 (possible) and a impact of 2 (Minor) would have a collective risk ration of medium [p. 223].

The numeric scale of 1-5 can be hard for managers to visualize and use, therefore more subjective values like unlikelig and likelig is ofen used, as seen in the table below.

Objectively describtion of numeric scale

Scale (1-5)	Likelihood (Subjective values)	Impact (Subjective values)
1	Highly unlikely	No impact
2	Unlikely	Minor
3	Possible	Medium
4	Likely	Major
5	Very likely	Extensive

It is important to notice that the risk matrix is only used to rank risks, and not as a decision tool itself. How to treat the individual risk the matrix does not answer - other tools and a deeper analysis should be used for this. The tool however can be used to prioritize and categorize the risks.

Residual - & Inherent risks

Identified risks can be categorized into two different categories, depending on, if controls fail or not. The residual risk is the identified risk as it is today, with the controls in place. An example could be the risk of "financial loss if bank is robed", however we have a control in place and hired security people. The inherent risk is the risk we face if the controls for the residual risk fail. For instance all the security people get food poisoning, and the banks protection is there for gone. Naturally the Impact/Probability for the inherent risk should be grater or equal to the ratings in the residual .

Risk Management Process (RMP)

Risk Management Process

The risk management process can be divided in to four main categories Identify risks, Assess risks, Treat risks and Monitor risks.

Identify risks

The first process is "Identify risks", here potential risk events and their characteristics that can have a negative effect on the project is identified. The identification of risk is a repeatable process since new risks can change through it's life or new risks is discovered. The identification process can consist of a variety of different stakeholders, project management team, experts, senior managers etc.

Assess risks

The second process is "Assess risks", which is used to measure and priorities risks. In the assessment of risks the probability of each risk occurring & the corresponding impact for the project, if the risk does occur. The probability and impact is then used to prioritize the risks. This process is also repetitive throughout the project. The #Risk Matrix, as described earlier,can be used for accessing the risks.

Treat risks/Control

The third process is "Treat risks", here actions to reduce risks, are developed and determined. The treatment of risks can consist of adding additional resources (manpower, budget) in to the schedule. However the treatment should be customized to fit the individual risk and be as realistic and cost-effective as possible. The process also include measures to avoid, mitigate or deflect the risk. Another possibility is to develop contingency plans which can be used if the risk occurs [p. 138].

Risk Treatment consist of a range of options for mitigating the risk, assessing options, and preparations for implementing action plans. As mentioned earlier the highest risks should be addressed first and so on and forth. Of course the cost of treating the risk should be evaluated and compared whit potentially loss by risk. Depending on the type and nature of the risk, the following options are available :

• Avoid - The risk is avoided by stopping to proceed with the activity that introduced the risk. Instead an alternative activity that still meets business objectives is chosen or a less risky approach or process.
• Reduce - The likelihood or effect of the risk is reduced to an acceptable level. However in regards to time and expense, it is desirable to eliminate the risk .
• Share or Transfer - The risk is transferred away from the risk-owner. Fore instance by outsourcing the activities that the risk is tied to, making contracts with service providers or buying a insurance that covers that risk.
• Accept - The risk is simply accepted, risks with very low impact and likelihood can often be accepted. A risk can also be accepted if the cost of the treatment outweighs the benefit. By accepting the risk no further action is taken to treat the risk, the risk is of cause still monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis, do to potentially changes .

Monitor risks

The fourth process is "Monitor risks", here actions to track and monitor risks is developed. One of the most common approches to risk monitoring is to use a risk register, which is initiated in the start of a project and continually reviewed and updated. A risk register should as a minimum contain the following information:

• Risk identification number (Used for identification of risks)
• Risk Owner (Should be clearly defined and registered in the risk register)
• Description of Risk (Makes it easier to communicate risk)
• Results of assessment (Probability/Impact) and assessment date
• Mitigating Actions (Actions taken to address the risk)
• Date for next risk review .

Is is impotent to note that risks should be monitored, reviewed and controlled on an ongoing bases. The controlling of a risk is done by continuous tracking of identified risks while identifying and analyzing new risks. Risks and the effectiveness of controls and mitigation's should be evaluated throughout the project life cycle [p. 142].

Limitations and advantages of RPM (discussion)

ARTA diagrams are included for risk treatment and control????? XXX

ISO 31000

Eventhough risk management indaisputbly is benefitial, most managers uses the ISO 31000 standard, wich have som critical flaws.

First a considerable ammount of scientific literature arguing for the ISO 31000 is outdatet since it uses ideas of risk assessment and characterisation as used in the 1970s and 1980s .

Furtheremore a significant porportion of management researchers and analysts agrees on risk basically captures two dimensions:

1. something is at stake (health and lives, the environment and material assets)
2. uncertainties.

Above-mentioned can be conceprualized, measured and described in a more and understandbely way than the ISO 31000, forinstance the SRA glossary . Therefore it is important that risk managers not blindly follow the ISO 31000, but try to explore as broad a littirature search as possible, forinstance the SRA glossary.

Conclusion

It is important that managers use risk management, and spent time on imporving and develoup the risk management programme of companies. xxx

There will always be risks in projects, and how they are managed will have a large impact on the success of a project [p. 232] .

Further Reading Material

• Risk management

• Risk and Opportunities Management

• There are known knowns

• Risk Management in Renewable Energy Projects

• Risk Register

• Impact vs. Probability

• Unknown unknowns

• Risk identification

• Risk Management in Construction

• ISO 31000

References

References Credibility

This section contains a brief discussen of the used online sources credibility. This is done to ensure transparency and provide a high quality list of sourcing which the reader can follow up on.