Unit 6
Unit 6
Unit 6
UNIT -6
Project Risks
Uncertainty a random chance that something will
Risk an uncertain event or condition that could
negatively impact project performance Each risk has a likelihood, or probability, of occurring and possible outcomes if it does occur happen, with no way to control whether it happens
Managing Risks
Since the project manager is responsible for project success, he or she can increase the likelihood of success by better managing risks Risk management is a proactive approach to dealing with uncertainties rather than a reactive approach Some risks can be disregarded and some can be avoided, but others should be planned for
impacts of risks Trying to reduce the uncertainties (by gathering more information or making different decisions) Trying to lessen the impacts of risks Developing contingency plans for critical risks Monitoring risks as the project progresses
Assessing likelihoods and possible outcomes Computer simulations; decision tree analysis; etc.
Identification of Risks
Identifying all of the possible events or conditions that might occur and may negatively impact project performance A brainstorming session with the project team can be a helpful way to ensure that all important risks are identified Determining symptoms or warning signs that indicate when the risk is about to occur Determining root causes of the risk
Risk Assessment
This info. should be developed for each risk: Description of risk All the possible outcomes of the risk The magnitude or severity of the outcomes Likelihood (probability) of the risk occurring, and likelihood of each possible outcome When the risk might occur during the project Interaction of the risk outcomes with other parts of this project or other projects
Detection Difficulty
High Medium Low Medium
Technology
forecasting Game theory analysis PERT analysis Sensitivity analysis Expected value analysis
Reducing Risks
Try to reduce uncertainties (collect more
information, use more reliable vendors, design for easy production, dont use leading edge technologies, etc.)
outcomes (purchase insurance, convince customer to share the risk impacts, train employees how to respond quickly, etc.)
Contingency Planning
A contingency plan is an alternative plan used if a risk event or condition occurs. Examples: Having a backup supplier for a key material Carrying a safety stock for a key part Having an alternate distribution channel to send products to China (air instead of boat) Having hurricane evacuation plans
Expected Values
A construction manager is trying to decide what size crew to schedule for tomorrow based on weather: Weather Probability: 10% 20% 30% 40% Expected Alternative Nice Cold Rain Snow Value Large crew $860 $710 $160 $-350 $136 Med. crew 520 430 190 -120 $147 Small crew 280 240 170 130 $179 sample calculation:
Large .10(860)+.20(710)+.30(160)+.40(-350) = 136
Divide into small groups Read case Discuss the issues and answer these questions:
How would you have identified the risks? Using the table provided, discuss how the risks were addressed and/or how risks could have been addressed. Also, indicate any additional risks you can think of. Indicate whether the risks listed are internal or external. Describe how you would determine the expected values of the risks listed. Do you think that risk was adequately managed in this project? Why?
is to estimate the most likely, pessimistic, and optimistic durations. PERT analysis assumes a Beta distribution for each task
PERT Example
Task Pred. Opt. Most Likely a -3 4 b -2 3 c a 3 3 d a 2 2 e b 4 6 f b 3 0.028 g c,d 1 1 h e 4 4 i f 3 5 j e,g 3 6 k h,i 1 1 Te = (a + 4m + b)/6 Pess. 6 4 5 2 11 4 2 4 8 10 2 Var Te 4.167 3.000 3.333 2.000 6.500 4 1.167 4.000 5.167 6.167 1.167 = [(b Var 0.250 0.111 0.111 0.000 1.361 3.833 0.028 0.000 0.694 1.361 0.028 a)/6]2
PERT Example
Use Te values for task durations on project
network to compute slack values. The results of the new computations still shows path b-e-j as the critical path, with an expected project duration of Tcp = 3.000 + 6.500 + 6.167 = Varcp = 0.111 + 1.361 + 1.361 = StdDevcp = sqrt(2.833) = MS Project with 3 task durations
project network Safety time buffer at end of critical path is called a project buffer Safety time buffer just before where noncritical paths feed into the critical path is called a feeding buffer.