Project Risk Management Guidelines

Risk runs through the fabric of any project. It is so intimately bound up in forecasting and decision making that it cannot be isolated or handled separately from other project management activities. Success can only be achieved if risk management is integrated closely with project management.

Over the past decade, developments in risk management methods and standards have addressed the need to manage risk in a project in an integrated manner. This is a more natural way of working than past practices have been. It has beneficial effects on the practice of risk management and the way it is implemented in projects.

This new edition of Project Risk Management Guidelines has been fully updated to include the new international standards that embody this principle, ISO 31000 Risk management and IEC 62198 Managing risk in projects. The book explains the standards and how they can be applied. It provides a clear introduction to basic project risk management, introduces the reader to specialized areas of projects and procurement, and shows how quantitative risk analysis methods can be used in large projects.

Chapter by chapter, the authors present simple, practical steps and illustrate them with examples drawn from their extensive experience from around the world, in many different industry sectors and cultures and at all stages of projects from conception through development and into execution. Qualitative and quantitative approaches are covered. Traditional structures and processes are discussed as well as developments in the way projects are conducted, such as outsourcing arrangements and risk-sharing structures like public–private partnerships.

Improved outcomes can be achieved when sound risk management is used to capture opportunities and reduce threats. Its unique focus and wealth of checklists, tables and other resources make this book an essential and enduring tool for anyone involved with project work.

Dale Cooper has over twenty-five years of international experience with risk management for large and complex projects. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an Affiliate of the Securities Institute of Australia, a member of the Risk Engineering Society and the Society for Risk Analysis, and an accredited provider of risk management consulting services to government agencies in Australia and New Zealand. Since late 1991, Dale Cooper has run Broadleaf Capital International, a consulting company that specialises in high-level strategic, organisational and project risk analysis, for both public and private sector clients. His risk consulting activities have included assignments in North America, Europe, Australasia, Asia and the Middle East. He is a member of the Standards Australia Technical Committee that developed the risk management standard AS/NZS 4360 and associated handbooks.

Pauline Brosnich worked in engineering companies, providing risk management support with an emphasis on maximizing safety and optimizing reliability and operation of projects. She has worked extensively in the minerals, resources and transport industries. providing advice on risk management and facilitating risk workshops for projects and for operations. At Broadleaf, she has continued providing risk advice for customers in these areas as well as for Defence, government and not-for-profit organisations. She has developed in the area of providing and implementing risk management frameworks that are tailored to the individual requirements of specific organisations.

Stephen Grey is an experienced risk management practitioner specialising in project, organisational and strategic risk applications. He has worked with many private and public sector organisations in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand for over fifteen years. Stephen is actively involved in the development of risk management practices around the world. He is a member of the Risk Engineering Society within the Institution of Engineers (Australia), a member of the Special Interest Group on Project Risk Management of the UK Association for Project Management and Director of Region IV, Asia and Pacific, of the Risk Special Interest Group of the US based Project Management Institute. He is an Associate Director of Broadleaf Capital International.

Geoff Raymond is a highly experienced risk management consultant, facilitator and trainer. He has significant recent experience in the conduct of qualitative and quantitative risk assessments, hazard analyses and value management studies in a variety of contexts. Prior to joining Broadleaf Capital International as an Associate Director in 1996, he established the Risk Engineering Services business unit at BHP Engineering. His main activities are in strategic planning, corporate and project risk analysis and risk management training, for both public and private sector clients.

Phil Walker had a long career in the Australian Department of Defence, culminating in responsibility for very large defence projects, prior to joining Broadleaf as an Associate Director in 1999. While in Defence, Phil managed very large and complex projects with large multi-skilled teams scattered in many locations worldwide. His skills and expertise in projects centre on business, finance and contractual matters, although he has a strong technical knowledge. Phil has worked with the US Navy for three year in Philadelphia on a number of large scale maritime projects and initiatives.