Sources of risk

Risk is the possibility of an event or action leading to loss or other negative outcomes. In project management, risks refer to any uncertainty that has the potential to affect the success of a project. These can include external factors such as market trends, customer demands, and technological advancements, as well as internal factors such as resource availability, project budget, and team skills. Risks can also come from external sources such as natural disasters, political instability, and economic downturns. Risks should be identified and monitored throughout the life cycle of the project in order to minimize their impact and ensure successful project delivery.

Example of sources of risk

• Economic risks: Economic risks refer to any changes in the macroeconomic environment that can have a negative impact on the success of a project. Examples include inflation, deflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and recessions.
• Political risks: Political risks refer to any event or action by a government that can affect a project’s success, such as changes in laws, regulations, or tax policies. Examples include changes in trade agreements, sanctions, and tariffs.
• Regulatory risks: Regulatory risks refer to any changes in laws or regulations that can negatively impact a project. Examples include changes in safety regulations, environmental regulations, and data protection laws.
• Technological risks: Technological risks refer to any changes in technology or innovations that can affect a project’s success. Examples include advances in artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and quantum computing.
• Natural risks: Natural risks refer to any event or action caused by natural disasters or environmental conditions that can affect a project’s success. Examples include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.
• Organizational risks: Organizational risks refer to any changes within the organization or its stakeholders that can have a negative impact on the project. Examples include changes in personnel, budgets, and resources.

Types of sources of risk

• Internal Risk Sources: Internal risk sources are factors that originate from within the project organization and can be attributed to project management errors or mismanagement. These can include resource constraints, inadequate planning, cost overruns, and lack of communication.
• External Risk Sources: External risk sources are external factors beyond the control of the project organization. These can include market trends, customer demands, technological advancements, natural disasters, political instability, and economic downturns.
• Strategic Risk Sources: Strategic risk sources are related to the strategic decisions made by the project team. These can include incorrect assumptions about the project environment, incorrect decision-making, and inadequate risk management processes.
• Operational Risk Sources: Operational risk sources are related to the day-to-day activities of the project team. These can include inadequate resource allocation, inadequate project scheduling, and inadequate quality control.
• Financial Risk Sources: Financial risk sources are related to the financial health of the project organization. These can include inadequate budgeting, higher-than-expected costs, and inadequate cash flow.

Steps of dealing with sources of risk

The following are the steps in identifying sources of risk in project management:

• Identifying potential sources of risk: This includes reviewing project documentation and considering external factors that could affect the project, such as market trends, customer demands, and technological advancements.
• Assessing risks: This involves analyzing the identified risks to determine their likelihood and potential consequences.
• Prioritizing risks: This involves ranking the risks based on their potential impact and likelihood of occurrence.
• Developing risk mitigation strategies: This involves creating strategies to minimize the impact of the identified risks. These may include risk avoidance, risk reduction, or risk transfer.
• Monitoring risks: This involves regularly reviewing the identified risks to ensure they remain valid. This will help to identify any changes in risk status and allow for quick adjustments to be made in order to maximize the chances of successful project delivery.

Limitations of sources of risk

Sources of risk can vary depending on the type and size of the project, as well as the industry and environment in which it is being undertaken. However, there are some common limitations to the sources of risk that should be considered when assessing and managing project risk. These include:

• Poor project planning and inadequate risk management processes, which can lead to risks not being identified or managed appropriately.
• Lack of stakeholder engagement, which can lead to inadequate communication and an incomplete understanding of the project.
• A lack of resources and capabilities, which can prevent effective risk mitigation strategies from being implemented.
• Poor risk identification and assessment processes, which can lead to incorrect or incomplete risk information.
• Inadequate monitoring and control, which can result in risks not being identified and addressed in a timely manner.
• Unclear roles and responsibilities, which can lead to confusion and a lack of accountability.
• Unforeseen external risks such as political instability, natural disasters, or economic downturns, which can be difficult to anticipate and prepare for.

Sources of risk — recommended articles

Risk management methodology — Construction project risk — Supply chain risk — Identification of risks — Risk assessment framework — Risk of software development — Risk category — Specific risk — Risk management techniques

References

• Ferson, W. E., & Harvey, C. R. (1994). Sources of risk and expected returns in global equity markets. Journal of Banking & Finance, 18(4), 775-803.
• Podolak, R., Enache, E., Stone, W., Black, D. G., & Elliott, P. H. (2010). Sources and risk factors for contamination, survival, persistence, and heat resistance of Salmonella in low-moisture foods. Journal of food protection, 73(10), 1919-1936.
• Wuana, R. A., & Okieimen, F. E. (2011). Heavy metals in contaminated soils: a review of sources, chemistry, risks and best available strategies for remediation. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2011.