Kim Heldman – Project Manager’s Spotlight on Risk Management

Kim Heldman – Project Manager’s Spotlight on Risk Management

CLEAR-CUT WAYS TO MANAGE PROJECT RISK

If you’re a typical project manager, you’re probably aware of the importance of risk management but may not have the time or expertise to develop a full-blown plan. This book is a quick and practical guide to applying the disciplines of proven risk management practices without the rigor of complex processes.

Part of the Project Manager’s Spotlight series from Harbor Light Press, this straightforward book offers solutions to real-life risk scenarios. Inside, best-selling author Kim Heldman highlights critical components of risk management and equips you with tools, techniques, checklists, and templates you can put to use immediately. By following a realistic case study from start to finish, you’ll see how a project manager deals with each concept. Ultimately, this book will help you anticipate, prevent, and alleviate major project risks.

Project Manager’s Spotlight on Risk Management teaches you how to

• Look for and document risk
• Anticipate why projects fail
• Prevent scope and schedule risks
• Analyze and prioritize risks
• Develop, implement, and monitor risk response plans
• And much more!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments x

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1: What Is Risk Management? 1

Defining Risk 1

Purpose of Risk Management 6

A Practical Risk Management Approach 12

Communication Is the Key 20

Case Study 26

CHAPTER 2: IDENTIFYING AND DOCUMENTING RISKS 29

Identifying Risks 29

Common Risks 34

Where to Look 40

How to Look for Risk 45

Documenting Project Risk 53

Case Study 58

CHAPTER 3: WHY PROJECTS FAIL—MORE RISKS AND HOW YOU CAN PREVENT THEM 61

The PMINO Syndrome 61

Absentee Sponsor 70

Disengaged Teams 80

Case Study 91

CHAPTER 4: PREVENTING SCOPE AND SCHEDULE RISKS 95

Scope Risk 95

Schedule Risks 108

Change Management 118

Case Study 120

CHAPTER 5: ANALYZING AND PRIORITIZING RISKS 123

Qualitative Risk Analysis 123

Quantitative Risk Analysis 136

The Analysis Method of Choice 142

Listing and Ranking Project Risk 142

Case Study 146

CHAPTER 6: DEFINING RISK RESPONSE PLANS 149

Risk Response Planning 149

Risk Response Techniques 153

Developing Risk Response Plans 160

Planning for the Unknown 164

Case Study 169

CHAPTER 7: IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING RISK RESPONSE PLANS 171

Monitoring and Control 171

Implementing Response Plans 177

Risk Audits 185

Case Study 189

APPENDIX A: NINE KNOWLEDGE AREAS REFRESHER 191

Project Management Process Groups 191

Project Management Knowledge Areas 197

Appendix B: Risk Management Templates 203

Glossary 211

Index 217

AUTHOR INFORMATION

Kim Heldman, PMP is the best selling author of Sybex’s PMP Study Guide and Project Management Jumpstart. Kim is Director of IT Project Management for the Colorado Department of Revenue.