Purpose

This assignment allows you to apply your knowledge of risk management to a realistic scenario, evaluating what went wrong and how it could have been improved. This is exactly the type of analysis that professional project managers conduct to learn from past experiences.

Associated Skills

• Demonstrate your abilities by requiring evaluation.
• Risk mitigation effectiveness and design.
• Improved monitoring approaches.

Instructions

STEP 1: Evaluate the Risk Identification Process (300-400 words)

What to do:

• Carefully review the risk register from the case study
• Create a table comparing risks that were identified versus risks that actually occurred
• Analyze whether the risk identification methods used were appropriate for this type of project

Questions to answer:

• Which significant risks were missed entirely? Why might they have been overlooked?
• Were the identified risks described clearly and specifically?
• Which risk identification techniques were used (e.g., brainstorming, checklists, expert interviews)? Were they sufficient?
• Were all relevant stakeholders involved in risk identification?

STEP 2: Assess Risk Response Planning (400-500 words)

What to do:

• Review the planned responses for each identified risk
• Evaluate whether appropriate strategies (avoid, transfer, mitigate, accept) were selected
• Assess the level of detail in the response plans

Questions to answer:

• Were the selected response strategies appropriate for the nature and severity of each risk?
• Were the response plans specific and actionable or vague and general?
• Were contingency plans developed for high-impact risks?
• Were resource requirements for risk responses clearly identified?

STEP 3: Analyze Implementation Effectiveness (400-500 words)

What to do:

• Compare what was planned versus what actually happened when risks occurred
• Identify factors that affected the implementation of risk responses
• Evaluate the decision-making process during risk events

Questions to answer:

• When risks materialized, were the planned responses implemented fully and promptly?
• Were sufficient resources available to implement the responses?
• Was it clear who was responsible for implementing each response?
• How effective was communication during risk events?

STEP 4: Evaluate Risk Monitoring (300-400 words)

What to do:

• Assess how risks were monitored throughout the project
• Identify warning signs that were missed
• Evaluate the timeliness of risk detection

Questions to answer:

• What methods were used to monitor risks (e.g., dashboards, status reports, metrics)?
• Were appropriate indicators being tracked for each risk?
• Were there early warning signs that went unnoticed?
• How quickly were emerging risks detected?
• Were escalation procedures clear and followed?

STEP 5: Develop Recommendations for Improvement (400-500 words)

What to do:

• Create specific, actionable recommendations for improving risk management
• Design a sample risk monitoring dashboard
• Propose specific risk triggers and thresholds
• Suggest improved effectiveness metrics

Questions to answer:

• What specific changes to risk identification would have improved the process?
• What enhancements to response planning would have increased effectiveness?
• What monitoring system would have provided earlier detection?
• How could risk management roles and responsibilities have been clarified?

Submission Guidelines / Criteria for Success

Format:

• Professional document with clear section headings
• 12-point font, 1.5 line spacing
• Executive summary (200-250 words) at the beginning
• Include at least one visualization (e.g., dashboard mockup)
• Include page numbers
• Length: 1,800-2,300 words (excluding executive summary and references)

Executive Summary: Begin your document with a concise summary that includes:

• Brief overview of the case situation
• Summary of key findings from your analysis
• Most critical recommendations
• Expected benefits of implementing your recommendations

Visualization Requirements: Create at least one professional visualization, such as:

• Risk monitoring dashboard mockup
• Before/after comparison of risk management approach
• Risk trigger framework diagram
• Effectiveness evaluation metric system

Supporting Evidence:

• Reference specific examples from the case materials
• Use course concepts and terminology appropriately
• Include at least three to five citations from credible sources (course materials, academic journals, industry best practices)
• Use APA format for citations and references

Helpful Tips for Success:

• Start by organizing the case information: Create a timeline of events and a map of what risks were identified versus what actually occurred.
• Use highlighting or notes to identify key issues as you review the case materials.
• Create an outline before writing to ensure all required elements are included.
• Develop your dashboard mockup early in the processit may inform other aspects of your analysis.
• Use specific examples from the case to support your points rather than making general statements.
• Connect your recommendations directly to the problems you identified.
• Review your draft against the evaluation criteria before submitting.
• Proofread carefully for clarity, grammar, and formatting.