successful project management - Commonwealth of Learning

On the basis of what we said above, look at the project you indicated that you are
working on or one that you intend to start managing. What risks can you anticipate?
In other words, what do you think could go wrong? Before you read on, work on this
activity.
?? Activity
Let us suppose that the institution you work for intends to deliver a franchise course,
developed in another country.
1. What steps would your institution take up to the point when it starts offering
tutorials.
2. From the steps you have identified, what risks are there?
Clearly, project managers have to manage risks. Paul Bower (2009) argues that
as a centralised activity must accomplish the following tasks:
• identify major concerns for each milestone:
• identify risks and risk owners;
• evaluate risks as to the likelihood and consequences;
• assess the options for accommodating the risks;
• prioritise the risk management efforts;
• develop risk management plans; and
• track the risk management efforts and manage accordingly.
In dealing with risks, the manager should be proactive and document what is likely to
go wrong at different exit points. Paul Bower (2009:2) cites a number of risk
management options, including avoidance, control, assumption, and risk transfer,
which in my opinion are applicable to distance education scenarios.
Avoidance
Avoidance involves choice of an alternative approach that does not have the
identified risk. However, there are times when it is not possible to avoid the identified
risk, so the manager ends up taking up the high risk in expectation of high gains.
Control
Controlling risks involves the development of a risk reduction plan and then
monitoring the plan.
91