Planning and Risk Management

During the project definition phase and perhaps even during the planning phase, there can be a number of challenges to the successful completion of the project. The key in implementing a risk management approach is to ensure that it is done using the appropriate level of rigour and analysis that the project warrants. There can be politics between the team and the organization or even within the project team itself. One of the most difficult challenges that some project team members may face is the balancing act of day-to-day operational responsibilities with project activity. Project work can be a distraction from the critical activities that people with operational responsibilities perform in keeping the organization running. These ad hoc project activities can easily be a source of stress and frustration, particularly if there is much interest and pressure from senior management. Scope creep is a big challenge that a project team can face.