Risk Management and Mitigation Strategies
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Questions and Answers

What role does project assurance play in risk management?

Project assurance verifies the adequacy of project controls to identify unknown risks, ultimately enhancing confidence in project execution.

How do milestones or stage gates contribute to project lifecycle management?

Milestones serve as critical decision points to assess the quality and completeness of deliverables, guiding the project's direction through its lifecycle.

Explain the significance of the concept of a 'value promise' in project management.

A value promise articulates the expected benefits and outcomes of a project, ensuring robust strategic alignment throughout the project's lifecycle.

What common challenges are associated with intra-team conflicts within project teams?

<p>Intra-team conflicts often arise from disagreements among team members, leading to delays and ineffective collaboration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can stage gate reviews influence the effectiveness of a project?

<p>Stage gate reviews assess project viability and ensure that objectives align with the value promise, facilitating informed decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by residual risk in risk management?

<p>Residual risk refers to the likelihood or consequence of a risk that remains after mitigation strategies have been implemented.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the importance of the TECOPS checklist in project management.

<p>The TECOPS checklist helps ensure that technical, economical, commercial, environmental, political, and sustainable factors are considered in project planning and execution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main strategies for risk mitigation?

<p>The four main strategies for risk mitigation are Treat or Reduce, Take or Accept, Transfer, and Terminate or Avoid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having intent and capacity in the formation of a contract?

<p>Intent to create a legal relationship and the legal capacity to act are essential for ensuring that a contract is legally binding and enforceable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does probabilistic risk management aid in project planning?

<p>Probabilistic risk management aids in project planning by estimating the likelihood and impact of risks, allowing for informed decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Value of Work Done (VOWD) indicate in project management?

<p>Value of Work Done (VOWD) indicates the monetary value of goods and services received, reflecting the technical or physical progress of a project.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can risk transfer be achieved in project management?

<p>Risk transfer can be achieved through insurance, sharing the risk with partners, contracting out certain tasks, diversifying investments, or hedging.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is risk management considered a continuous activity throughout the project lifecycle?

<p>Risk management is considered continuous because it must adapt to the evolving nature of a project, influencing scope, planning, and execution at all phases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key responsibilities of the contractor in a lump sum contract?

<p>The contractor is responsible for executing and completing the work as defined in the scope for a fixed price, bearing all associated risks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the primary purpose of project estimates.

<p>Project estimates serve as a basis for control, assess viability, obtain funding, manage cash flows, allocate resources, estimate durations, and prepare tenders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does EPCM stand for and what does it entail?

<p>EPCM stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management, which involves overseeing the entire project lifecycle from engineering through to construction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In procurement and construction, how do unit rate contracts manage productivity risk?

<p>In unit rate contracts, the contractor carries the 'productivity risk' as they are paid a fixed price for each unit completed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the direct costs associated with a project?

<p>Direct costs include labor costs like direct labor and non-labor costs directly linked to the project's execution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between cost plus fixed fee and cost plus percentage fee contracts.

<p>Cost plus fixed fee contracts pay the contractor a set fee plus costs, while cost plus percentage fee contracts pay based on a percentage of the incurred costs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

List two reasons why project monitoring and control are vital during the project lifecycle.

<p>Project monitoring and control are vital for ensuring adherence to schedules and budgets, and for managing risks effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of cost is associated with general and administrative expenses in a project?

<p>Indirect costs, specifically general and administrative expenses, cover overhead costs like administration and labor training.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a portfolio sponsor in portfolio management?

<p>The portfolio sponsor is the senior manager responsible for the overall success and alignment of the portfolio with business strategy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two criteria used to evaluate projects in a portfolio.

<p>Fit with business strategy and time to completion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does organizing projects as sub-units within functional units benefit project managers?

<p>It provides maximum flexibility in staff usage and allows individual experts to contribute to multiple projects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the responsibilities of a portfolio manager?

<p>The portfolio manager is responsible for organizing the portfolio management process but not for making decisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is market type an important criterion in project selection?

<p>Market type assesses the environment in which the project will operate and its potential for success.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one challenge faced during the portfolio management process?

<p>Subjectivity in decision-making can lead to biases when evaluating projects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a portfolio analyst provide in the context of portfolio management?

<p>The portfolio analyst provides strategic overviews and insights regarding the portfolio.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does understanding competitive impact inform project selection?

<p>It helps in determining how well a project will perform against competitors and its potential market advantage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the three key characteristics that define a project?

<p>The three key characteristics are uniqueness, temporariness, and focus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does PMBoK stand for and who delivers it?

<p>PMBoK stands for Project Management Body of Knowledge and is delivered by the Project Management Institute.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the project life cycle, what activities are typically involved during the initiation phase?

<p>Activities during the initiation phase include developing proposals, gathering information, and conducting feasibility studies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the PRINCE2 methodology in project management?

<p>The primary focus of PRINCE2 is on continued business justification and managing projects by exception.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a project being temporary?

<p>A project being temporary means it has a defined beginning and end.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the importance of the relationship between influence and cost during a project's lifetime.

<p>The relationship indicates that the ability to influence project outcomes decreases over time while costs often increase.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key activity during the design phase of the project lifecycle?

<p>A key activity is developing the design and estimating costs and expected returns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does having defined roles and responsibilities impact project management?

<p>Defined roles and responsibilities enhance accountability and clarity within the project team.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of developing an assurance plan?

<p>To leverage discipline expertise and facilitate open discussions about concerns and risks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does product quality differ from process quality in project management?

<p>Product quality refers to meeting customer requirements, while process quality focuses on consistently delivering conformance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the PDCA cycle, what is the purpose of the 'Check' phase?

<p>To assess measurements and report the results to decision-makers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in project management?

<p>A WBS breaks down the project into manageable pieces, aiding in organization and clarity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the essential components to define for each work package?

<p>Required input, activities, output (deliverables), and communication requirements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does project assurance play in assessing decision quality?

<p>Project assurance evaluates the quality of decisions made throughout the project.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the importance of having agreement on project scope between you and your client.

<p>It prevents negative surprises during the execution phase and ensures alignment of expectations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of planning assurance reviews?

<p>To identify risks early, suggest mitigations, and enhance value in the project.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In project planning, what is the value of using a combination of top-down and bottom-up structuring techniques?

<p>It helps average out input and ensures comprehensive coverage of project components.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in a project proposal to effectively communicate the project's intentions?

<p>A feasibility study, schedules, deliverables, and a budget estimation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What activities are typically included in the front end of project engineering design?

<p>The activities include Front End Engineering Design (FEED), detailed design and engineering, and procurement of materials and equipment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a lump sum contract differ from a cost plus fee contract?

<p>A lump sum contract requires the contractor to complete the work for a fixed price, while a cost plus fee contract reimburses the contractor for actual costs plus an additional fee.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the advantages of using cost estimates in project management?

<p>Cost estimates provide a basis for control, assess project viability, and help in allocating resources effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the meaning of EPCM in project management.

<p>EPCM stands for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management, which involves overseeing all aspects of project execution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of project monitoring and control?

<p>Project monitoring and control aim to ensure that the project remains on track regarding time, budget, and scope.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors are considered in unit rate contracts?

<p>Unit rate contracts consider the productivity risk of the contractor as they are paid a fixed price for each unit produced.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between direct and indirect costs in a project.

<p>Direct costs are directly attributed to project activities, such as labor costs, while indirect costs cover general administrative expenses not directly tied to a single project task.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract?

<p>A Cost Plus Incentive Fee contract includes reimbursement of costs plus an additional fee that is partly based on performance criteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors contribute to the effectiveness of value added in projects?

<p>The effectiveness of value added in projects depends on the application of Value Improvement Practices (VIPs) and the people involved in the process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does benchmarking support project management?

<p>Benchmarking supports project management by comparing business processes and performance metrics to industry best practices, aiding in project selection, planning, and delivery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is integrated teamwork important in project management?

<p>Integrated teamwork is important because it aligns perspectives of owners and contractors, fostering collaboration to address project complexities effectively.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define risk management in the context of project management.

<p>Risk management in project management involves identifying and managing uncertainties that may affect achieving project objectives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the key elements that define a risk in project management?

<p>A risk is defined by the probability of occurrence of a perceived threat or opportunity and the magnitude of its impact on project objectives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do safety and sustainability factor into modern project management focus areas?

<p>Safety and sustainability are new focus areas that emphasize minimizing risks to people and the planet while ensuring profitable project outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) used for?

<p>The Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) is used to measure the degree of scope development during the front-end development phases of industrial projects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of lessons learned in project management.

<p>Capturing and analyzing lessons learned is crucial for making systemic corrections and implementing improvements throughout the project lifecycle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Risk

  • Risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm.
  • TECOPS checklist: Technical, Economical, Commercial, Environmental, Political and Sustainable.
  • Because of a cause (fact), an event might happen (the actual risk), which will have potential effect(s) on project promises (likelihood & impact)
  • Likelihood (probability) is the most difficult element to estimate
  • Effect/impact (consequence) is often easier to estimate
  • Probabilistic risk management includes determining:
    • Who owns the risk?
    • What will be the risk response strategy?
    • When to be executed?
  • Residual risk à likelihood or consequence reduced, not zero
  • Secondary risk à a result of the risk response strategy chosen

Mitigation

  • Treat or Reduce
    • Changing design, concepts, contracting
    • Treat à make the solution part of the scope
    • Taking à develop contingency (who to do, if)
    • Risks management starts in early project phases: it is affecting your scope/planning
    • Choice in risk management have to do with own preferences/behavioural style/attitude towards risks
  • Take or Accept
    • May be justified by expected return; e.g. recovery plans, financial reservation
  • Transfer
    • E.g. insure, share, contract out, diversify, hedge
  • Terminate or avoid
    • E.g. Ceasing activity, sale recalibrate, reduce scale

Project Activities

  • Risk management should be part of the project activities from start
  • It helps to define the project
  • It helps to focus in project execution
  • It should not be a “tick the box” exercise

Contract

  • A contract is a legally binding, enforceable and reciprocal commitment governing the collaboration between two (or more) parties

Essential Elements of Contract Formation

  • Intent to create a legal relationship and legal capacity to act
  • Offer and acceptance
  • Compliance established practice and the law

Value of Work Done (VOWD)

  • Value of goods and services received, measuring the technical/physical progress per control item and converting it into money
  • Break down the scope into contract packages
    • Marketability and commerciality of the packages
    • Project management consideration
    • (Adjourning à The team disbands )

Leading the team

  • Storming
    • Soldiering
    • Intra-team conflicts
      • Disagreements among team member
    • Inter-team conflicts
      • Difficulties dealing with other related team
    • Not delivering on time
      • Lame excuses for not delivering

Assurance

  • A positive declaration intended to give confidence
  • Promise or pledge; guaranty; surety
  • Full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty

Project Controls

  • Project internal processes executed by project controlled resources
  • They assist the project manager to know project performance against plan, budget, quality
  • They can trend the future

Project Assurance

  • Verifying the adequacy and completeness of project controls by a respected and credible party that is external to the project team
  • There is no hard data to demonstrate effectiveness of assurance activities on project outcomes, however it may assist in avoiding risk by identifying ‘unknown unknowns’.
  • Line of defense
  • Milestones/stage gates are moments at which you make a decision à assurance of quality and completeness of deliverables supporting the decision just prior to reaching milestone.

Stage Gate Reviews

  • Value assurance: are we doing the right project?
    • Value focus dominant at identify & conceptual design
    • Is there a robust (life cycle ) value promise?
  • Project assurance: are we planning and executing the project right?
    • Project focus dominant during executing
    • Is the life cycle value promise still robust?

Project Management Consideration

Broken down project activities

  • Front End Engineering Design (FEED)
  • Detailed design and engineering
  • Procurement of materials and equipment
  • Fabrication and construction
  • Commissioning and start-up

Contracts

  • EPC = Procurement and Construction
  • EPCM = Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management

Contract Types

  • Lump sum/Fixed Price à the contractor is responsible for executing and completing the work as defined in the scope of work for a fixed price. Risks borne by the contractor.
  • Reimbursable/ Cost Plus Fee à The owner reimburses the contractor for all costs, reasonably incurred and directly associated with the project. Plus a certain fee for the services provided. Payment to the contractor is made on the basis of work actually done.
    • Cost Plus Percentage Fee
    • Cost Plus Fixed Fee
    • Cost plus Incentive Fee à (make the fee (in part) subject to performance against a number of criteria defined at the start
  • Unit rate à The contractor carries the ‘productivity risk’ of executing the work as the owner is paying a fixed price for each unit.

Project Monitoring & Control

Why Estimating

  • Basis for control
  • Assess project viability
  • Obtain funding
  • Manage cash flows
  • Allocate resources
  • Estimate durations
  • Prepare tenders

Types of estimates/Timing

  • Order of magnitude
  • Preliminary
  • Definitive
  • Control

Structure

  • Direct Cost
    • Labour cost
      • Direct labour cost (measured in cost for a staff member per hour)
      • Direct non-labour cost (e.g.
  • Indirect Cost
    • General and administrative cost
      • Cost of administering labour
      • Transportation, training

Project Management Basics

  • Project Management is crucial for better control, customer relations, increased return on investment (ROI), shorter development time, lower costs, higher quality, and reliability, increased results, and higher worker morale.
  • Project - a unique and temporary endeavor with specific goals that utilizes human, financial, and material resources to achieve change.
  • Three key characteristics of a project:
    • Unique: No routines, uncertainty, only long-term feedback
    • Temporary: Has a beginning and an end, involves a group of people
    • Focused: Delivers a product, service or result with defined boundaries
  • Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK) is a global standard for project management by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
  • PRINCE2 (Projects IN Controlled Environments) is a project management methodology that emphasizes:
    • Continued business justification
    • Manage by exception
    • Learning from experience
    • Focus on products
    • Defined roles and responsibilities
    • Tailoring to suit the project environment
  • Project Life Cycle Stages:
    • Initiation: Develop proposals, gather information, conduct feasibility studies, estimate design, and establish initial costs.
    • Design: Develop design, estimate costs and returns, assess viability, obtain funding, refine the plan.
    • Execution: Detailed design, baseline estimates, manage costs (typically 95% of total project costs), and implement project plans.
    • Closure: Finish project, handover deliverables, evaluate project performance, and capture lessons learned.
  • Portfolio Review: Regularly review project portfolios for strategic alignment and performance assessment.
  • Project Funnel: Effectively manage project flow, prioritize ideas, and ensure focus on strategic initiatives.

Portfolio Management Criteria

  • Criteria for portfolio management:
    • Fit with business strategy
    • Durability of competitive advantage
    • Benefits (ROI, market impact)
    • Time to completion
    • Investments required
    • Market or market type
    • Project type
    • Risk profile
  • Portfolio Management Roles:
    • Sponsor: Senior manager representing the highest levels of the organization.
    • Manager: Organizes and manages the portfolio process.
    • Analyst: Provides strategic overviews of the portfolio.

Project Organization & Management

  • Project Organization: Different ways to organize projects within the parent organization—the project as a sub-unit within the functional unit (advantages: flexibility in staff utilization, expert sharing, knowledge continuity, career advancement opportunities for specialists).
  • Project Manager Roles:
    • Assurance: Verify project deliverables and quality, assess decision quality, identify potential risks, and suggest mitigation strategies.
    • Project Manager: Responsible for planning, executing, monitoring, and closing the project according to scope, budget, and timeline.
  • Value Drivers: Factors that drive project success and value creation including quality, cost, schedule, scope, risk, communication, stakeholder management, and resources.
  • Types of Quality:
    • Product: Degree to which a product meets requirements, specifications, customer expectations.
    • Process: Ability of the project process to consistently deliver expected outcomes.
  • Quality Model (PDCA Cycle): Plan, Do, Check, Act—a cyclical improvement process for continuous quality enhancement.

Project Proposal & Planning

  • Project Proposal: A document that outlines the project scope, objectives, methodology, budget, timeline, resources, and stakeholders, seeking approval to proceed.
  • Project Plan: A detailed document outlining the project scope, work breakdown structure (WBS), timeline, milestones, deliverables, budget, resources, and risk management strategies.
  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): A hierarchical breakdown of the project into smaller manageable components.
  • Project Organization: Define roles, responsibilities, decision-making authority, and stakeholders, establish effective communication channels, and create an efficient team structure.

Project Risk Management

  • Risk Management: A structured process to identify, assess, respond to, and monitor risks that could affect project objectives.
  • Why risk management: High uncertainties in projects require proactive mitigation strategies to manage potential threats and opportunities.
  • Risk Definition: An uncertain event or set of events with a potential impact on project objectives.
  • Risk Assessment: Evaluates the likelihood and impact of each risk, prioritizing potential threats and opportunities.
  • Risk Response: Develop strategies to mitigate, enhance, avoid, or accept risks.
  • Risk Monitoring: Regularly track risks, identify changes in their likelihood or impact, and adjust mitigation plans as needed.
  • Types of risks:
    • Technical: Design, engineering, construction, equipment.
    • Commercial: Contract disputes, funding problems, stakeholder conflicts.
    • Environmental: Permitting, ecological impacts, regulatory changes.

Project Monitoring & Control

  • Why Estimating: Provides a basis for control, assesses project viability, helps obtain funding, manages cash flows, allocates resources, estimates durations, assists in preparing tenders, and ensures a realistic project timeline.
  • Types of Estimates:
    • Rough order of magnitude (ROM): Early estimates with a wide range of accuracy (+-30%).
    • Budgetary: More detailed estimates (+-15-20%).
    • Definitive: Highly detailed estimates (+-5-10%)—used for detailed planning and budgeting.
  • Timing:
    • Planned schedule: Original project timeline.
    • Current schedule: Actual progress status.
    • Critical path: Sequence of activities with no slack time—any delays impact project completion.
  • Estimating Techniques:
    • Bottom-up: Estimating activity durations based on individual tasks within each work package.
    • Top-down: Estimating durations based on historical data and expert judgment.
    • Analogous: Using historical data from similar projects to estimate durations.
    • Parametric: Applying a formula to estimate durations based on predefined parameters.
  • Time Management:
    • Schedule Development: Create detailed project schedules using tools like Gantt charts or critical path method (CPM).
    • Schedule Control: Monitor progress, identify deviations from the schedule, and implement corrective actions.
    • Resource Allocation: Allocate resources effectively to ensure that the right people are available for the right tasks at the right time.
  • Cost Management:
    • Cost Estimating: Estimate project costs based on resources, labor, materials, and other expenses.
    • Cost Control: Track actual costs, identify variances, and implement corrective actions to manage budget.
  • Project Closure:
    • Formal closure: Complete project documentation, evaluate project outcomes, capture lessons learned, and formally close the project.
  • Performance Measurement:
    • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Metrics used to assess project progress and success, including schedule adherence, budget control, quality, and risk management.
  • Benchmarking:
    • Internal: Comparing project performance to other projects within the organization.
    • External: Comparing project performance to industry best practices and competitors.

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Project Management Basics PDF

Description

Explore the fundamentals of risk management, including definitions, likelihood estimation, and the TECOPS checklist. Learn about mitigation strategies and how to effectively treat or reduce risks in project management. This quiz will enhance your understanding of residual and secondary risks.

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