Some Project Risk Management Links


A few web links are given below that point to useful documents or web sites.


Dr. Edmund H. Conrow and Dr. Robert N. Charette, “Opportunity Management:  Be Careful What You Ask For,” Defense AT&L, Defense Acquisition University, March-April, 2008. pp. 16-19. The article critically evaluates opportunity management (OM).  The article discusses that good risk management (RM) is not negative—it is positive and seeks to identify alternatives, increase program success, etc.  Risk management works with project management and systems engineering to balance cost, performance, schedule, and risk.  However, there is no universal definition of opportunity, and OM adds another layer of bureaucracy, competes for scarce resources, and opportunities always contain risk yet this is rarely analyzed or discussed “up front.”  While OM may be helpful prior to program initiation, analyzing low risks, and in the sustainment phase, it cannot be universally applied, as can risk management.  Go to the following URL to download this article:

Opportunity Management:  Be Careful What You Ask For


Defense Acquisition University "Risk Management Guide for DoD Acquisition," Fifth Edition, Version 2.0, June 2003. The DAU/DSMC risk management guide is the single best introductory document on project risk management as applied to Department of Defense projects that exists. The material contained in this guide is also directly applicable to a wide variety of commercial projects, including those far from the defense sector. (Dr. Edmund H. Conrow is a contributing author of this document.)  Go to the following URL to download the current version of the guide:

Risk Management Guide for DoD Acquisition, Fifth Edition, Version 2


Defense Acquisition University, "U. S. Department of Defense Extension to (the Project Management Institute): "A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge" (PMBOK® Guide), First Edition, Version 1, June 2003. The Defense Extension includes enhancements to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide, including a number of upgrades to the Risk Management Chapter 11 (as well as other Guide chapters), plus five new chapters on systems engineering management, software acquisition management, logistics management, test and evaluation management, and manufacturing management. (Dr. Edmund H. Conrow is the primary author of the risk management chapter (11) of this document.)  Go to the following URL to download the current version of the guide:

U.S. DoD Extension to PMBoK ® Guide


Dr. Robert N. Charette, Laura Dwinnell, John McGarry, “Understanding the Roots of Process Performance Failure,” CrossTalk, The Journal of Defense Software Engineering, August 2004, pp. 18-24.  This article summarizes how the results of a Department of Defense (DoD) cross-program systemic analysis help provide insight into the causes of recurring process shortfalls in DoD programs.  The article (which I highly recommend) discusses how risk management, systems engineering, and project management processes are often not well implemented on DoD programs.  (For example:  We have found that many best practices such as IPTs, risk management, or measurement are not being implemented properly on DoD programs, and as a result may cause more problems than they solve.”  “Risk management is performed on most programs, but we found that it is mainly for show. Risks are not communicated and the identified risks frequently do not influence program decision making.  management chapter (11) of this document.)  Go to the following URL to download this article:

Understanding the Roots of Process Performance Failure


Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, "Systems Engineering Primer & Handbook," Third Edition, July 2005.  This Systems Engineering handbook is written to provide SMC personnel with fundamental systems engineering concepts and techniques as they apply to space, launch, and ground control systems and the SMC environment. The intended audience includes the project officer, junior systems engineer, an engineer in another discipline that must perform Systems Engineering functions, or the experienced engineer who needs a suitable reference.  The authors recognize that systems engineering subject matter is very broad and that approaches to performing systems engineering vary greatly. This exposition is not intended to cover them all. It addresses general concepts and common processes, tools, and techniques that are mostly familiar to SMC. It also provides information on recommended systems engineering practices and pitfalls to avoid. Many references are provided for the reader to consult for more in-depth knowledge.  (Dr. Edmund H. Conrow is the primary author of the risk management section of this document.)  The file provided is the 1 July 2005 update which includes corrections vs the initial printing of 29 April 2005.  Two separate URLs are provided for download.

Defense Acquisition University Systems Engineering Community of Practice:

Air Force SMC Systems Engineering Primer & Handbook, Third Edition, 2005

Click on the ZIP file (AFSMC_SEP&H_Third_Edition_2005.zip) and download it to your computer.  Expand the ZIP file to yield the underlying PDF file.

Software Engineering Institute:

Air Force SMC Systems Engineering Primer & Handbook, Third Edition, 2005

Clicking on this link will download the PDF file directly.


Defense Acquisition University, "Systems Engineering Fundamentals," January 2001. The Fundamentals of Systems Engineering currently available reflects the 5000 series changes as of January 2001. Topics include the systems engineering process; system analysis and control; and planning for, organizing, and managing systems. The guide provides a basic, conceptual-level description of Systems Engineering as it relates to the development and life cycle management of a system--including basic concepts, problem-solving, tools to balance the process, and issues integral to the Systems Engineering effort.  Go to the following URL to download the document:

System Engineering Fundamentals (January 2001)


Edmund H. Conrow, et. al., "Risk Management Critical Process Assessment Tool," Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Second Edition, 14 August 1998. The second edition of the risk management CPAT is compatible with the DoD "Risk Management Guide for DoD Acquisition," and contains recommended language for the Statement of Objectives, Proposal Preparation Instructions for Section L, and Evaluation Factors for Award (Section M) for risk management in the RFP/proposal/source selection process. The risk management CPAT also includes questions for evaluating post-award risk management performance. You may download the file directly from Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center:

Risk Management Critical Process Assessment Tool, Version 2

If the AFSMC web site is down, you may download the file in Zip format (4rskcpv2.zip) by clicking on the following link within the www.risk-services website:

Risk Management Critical Process Assessment Tool, Version 2


Real Options Valuation web site. Real Options Valuation is a software, training, and consulting firm specializing in state-of-the-art decision and risk analysis tools and techniques such as Real Options Analysis, Monte Carlo Simulation, Forecasting, Optimization, Statistics and Risk Modeling. Our products include Risk Simulator, a risk analysis, simulation, forecasting and optimization software; Real Options SLS, a flexible and customizable strategic real options software; and Employee Stock Options Valuation Toolkit, a 2004 FAS 123 valuation software. We also provide consulting and training services, as well as a Training DVD set for individual study.

Real Options Valuation, Inc. Web Site


Decisioneering web site. Decisioneering is a key source for risk analysis software and solutions. Go to the following URL to jump to Ed Conrow listing on Decisioneering, then visit other portions of this web site:

Edmund H. Conrow, Consultants Corner Decisioneering


Palisade web site. Palisade is a key source for risk analysis software and solutions. Go to the following URL to jump to Palisade and scroll down to Ed Conrow listing, then visit other portions of this web site:

Edmund H. Conrow, Consultants Directory Palisade


Risk World web site. Risk World, which "covers news and views on risk assessment and management," contains a lot of risk management-related information. Although much of this information is associated with health, insurance, and safety, rather than project risk management, there is nevertheless much useful information for the practitioner on this site. Go to the following URL to jump to Risk World:

Risk World Web Site



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