Managing project risks and other challenges

Regardless of how promising a project may initially appear, inadequate risk assessment – combined with other factors, such as: team miscommunication, unchecked scope creep, and low levels of stakeholder engagement - can doom a project through time delays, cost overruns, and ultimate termination; with significant financial and material losses.

当客户投诉无论一个项目在初期看来多么有前途，如若风险评估不足——再加上团队沟通不畅、范围蠕变失控以及利益相关者参与度低等因素——都可能导致项目因时间延误、成本超支和最终终止而失败，带来巨大的经济和产品损失。

Common issues in failed projects

失败项目中的常见问题  

·Poor communication - team members working in self-contained ‘silo’ workgroups are prone to misunderstandings about project goals and timelines. Regular updates, transparent reporting, and clear communication protocols ensure that information flows smoothly within the team and with stakeholders; keeping everyone aligned and engaged.

·沟通不畅：团队成员都在互相独立的“孤岛”中工作，因而容易对项目目标和时间表产生误解。定期更新、透明报告和清晰的沟通协议可确保信息在团队和利益相关者之间顺畅流动，使每个人保持一致并积极参与。

·Scope creep - both stakeholders and team members can attempt to include changes in requirements without proper documentation or approval. This uncontrolled growth leads to missed deadlines and budget overruns. Scope boundaries can be defined and adhered to by setting clear objectives and maintaining rigorous change control processes. Flexibility in scope management allows for value recognition and necessary adjustments, while preventing uncontrolled scope creep.    

·范围蠕变：利益相关者和团队成员可能会尝试在未经适当文件或批准的情况下更改需求。这种不受控制的变化常常导致错过截止日期或预算超支。通过设定明确的目标和保持严格的变更控制流程，可以定义并遵守范围边界。在范围管理中保持灵活性可以实现价值提升，同时防止不受控制的范围蠕变。

·Low levels of stakeholder engagement - engaging stakeholders early and often is key to gaining required buy-in and involvement. This involves identifying all relevant stakeholders, understanding their needs and expectations, and maintaining open and regular lines of communication throughout the project lifecycle.

·利益相关者参与度低：及早并频繁地与利益相关者互动是获得必要的支持和参与的关键。这包括紧密关联所有相关利益相关者，了解他们的需求和期望，并在整个项目生命周期内保持开放和定期的沟通。

·Inadequate risk assessment - failure to identify potential technical and operational risks at project outset leads to unpreparedness for obstacles. Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment involves identifying potential risks, evaluating their impact and likelihood, and developing mitigation strategies. Regular risk reviews should be conducted to adapt to new information and changing project dynamics.

·风险评估不足：未能在项目初期识别潜在的技术和运营风险会导致无法为项目问题做好准备。进行全面的风险评估包括识别潜在风险、评估其影响和可能性并制定减轻策略。应定期进行风险审查，以适应新信息和不断变化的项目动态。

Proactive risk management strategies

主动式风险管理策略   

Developing a robust risk management plan is essential; beginning with a thorough risk identification process to create a risk register documenting potential risks, their impact, and likelihood. Prioritising these risks helps focus on the most significant threats.

制定一个健全的风险管理计划至关重要。首先要进行彻底的风险评估过程，创建风险记录簿，用于记录项目潜在风险、其影响和可能性，从而达到关注最重要的威胁。

Conducting a pre-project analysis session can also be beneficial. This brainstorms the upcoming project from a retroactive perspective; on the scenario that the project has failed. The entire project team should focus around the basic premise: ‘What went wrong, and what measures could have been taken at the beginning to prevent this?’.

项目进行前的分析会议也十分有必要。这种会议主要从以往失败的经验中汲取教训用于新的项目。整个项目团队在会议中应围绕一个基本前提：“出了什么问题？在一开始可以采取什么措施来防止这种情况的发生？” 。

This collaborative approach ensures a wide range of perspectives and can uncover hidden risks, providing a more comprehensive view of the project landscape. From feedback gained in the session, the project manager can plan mitigation strategies.

这种协作方式既确保了广泛的视角，并且可以也发现隐藏的风险，从而提供更全面的项目景观视图。根据会议中得到的反馈，项目经理可以以此制定策略。

Implementing the right tools and techniques can significantly enhance risk management efforts. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis evaluates internal and external factors affecting the project and will help craft strategies that leverage strengths and opportunities, while mitigating weaknesses and threats. SWOT analysis provides a structured approach to understanding project context and planning.         

使用适当的工具和技术可以显著提高风险管理的效果。SWOT（优势、劣势、机会、威胁）分析评估可以充分影响项目的内外部因素，并将帮助制定利用优势和机会，同时减轻劣势和威胁的策略——SWOT分析法则是一种提供理解项目背景和规划的可靠结构化方法。  

Leveraging tools and techniques

利用工具和技术

Risk matrices visually represent and prioritise risks, aiding in the quick identification of high-impact risks requiring immediate attention. This tool helps project managers focus their efforts on the most critical areas, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively.

风险矩阵可视化不仅能够优先处理风险，还有助于快速识别需要立即关注的高影响风险。这种工具帮助项目经理将精力集中在最关键的领域，以确保资源得到有效分配。

Leveraging technology to monitor and control project progress provides real-time updates, risk tracking, and facilitates effective communication. Gantt Charts, Critical Path Method (CPM), and Performance Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) are invaluable in maintaining project oversight, particularly when visualising task dependencies and adjusting timelines efficiently, to ensure on-time delivery.

利用技术来监控和控制项目进展可以提供实时更新、风险跟踪并促进有效沟通。甘特图、关键路径法（CPM）和绩效评估与审查技术（PERT）在维护项目监督方面都非常宝贵，特别是在可视化任务和有效调整时间表时，可以确保按时交付。

Experienced project managers appreciate the importance of agility and flexibility in responding to risks. Adaptation and quick decision-making can turn potential setbacks into opportunities for improvement and learning. Project leadership is not just about managing tasks, but also steering the team through uncertainties with confidence and clarity.

经验丰富的项目经理可以充分理解灵活应对风险的重要性。适应和快速决策可以将潜在的困难转化为改进学习的机会。项目领导不仅仅要做到管理任务，还需要以十足的信心和理解力引导团队度过项目执行期间的不确定性时期。

A degree of risk is inevitable and unavoidable in project management. However, with proactive strategies, effective communication, and the right tools, these issues can be managed and mitigated.    

项目管理期间不可避免会存在一定的风险。然而，通过主动的策略、有效的沟通和合适的工具，这些问题都是可以管理并缓解的。

By anticipating challenges and preparing to adapt, project managers can navigate their projects to successful completion, even in the face of adversity. Projects need to be reinforced with robust risk management practices to enhance the prospects of ultimate success.

通过预见挑战和对变化的适应与准备，项目经理在项目期间可通过健全的风险管理实践来加强团队把控风险的能力，以提高最终成功的能力，并能做到即使在面对逆境时也能确保项目成功完成的优秀工作内容。

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