Working as a project manager is an excellent opportunity to test your "soft" and "hard" skills. One of the most challenging sides you may encounter is dealing with risk. I would say that a project manager's job is about dealing with risk and making decisions about how to manage it.
Before we get into exactly how you can use risk management strategies, let's define what that is. Risk management is the process of implementing management decisions to reduce the likelihood of an adverse outcome and minimize potential losses caused by it.
Here we highlight some risks and strategies you can use:
- Risk Mitigation.
This strategy involves taking specific actions that include reducing the likelihood of the risk materializing. Another response when the probability of risk cannot be mitigated is to minimize the damage that could result from the risk scenario. Preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of risk or its consequences are in most cases much more helpful than reactive measures.
- Risk Avoidance.
Implementing this strategy requires modifying the project plan so that the potential threat that the realization of the risk may cause is generally eliminated. For example, if the probability of not achieving certain project goals is unacceptably high, it is much cheaper to eliminate those goals from the project altogether than to deal with the negative consequences later. Sometimes, project risks can be avoided by just by clarifying the requirements, and conducting due diligence in questionable areas.
- Risk Transfer.
This risk management strategy involves transferring the consequences of the risk scenario and damage to a third party. Of course, the risk itself and its effects will not disappear, but financial losses can be avoided. Risk transfer usually means paying a premium to the party that accepts the risk.
- Risk Retention.
The strategy is to not react to a risk scenario if it occurs. This may seem strange, but not all risks need to be mitigated or insured. In some cases, the risks are too small to take into account. The amount of damage from such risks is far less than developing and implementing measures to eliminate them or reduce the likelihood of their occurrence. In other cases, on the contrary, they are too significant risks, which makes further implementation of the project senseless or impractical.
It is essential to identify, classify, and assess risks when dealing with risks. This will help you manage and manipulate any risks that may arise in the software development process. Moreover, using these simple tips can help you cope with IT challenges.