From the Anatomy of Risk it can be readily deduced for any type of project that there are three main managers of
any risks :-
1. The Client, and
2. The Contractor, and
3. Sub-contractors or Suppliers.
The main purpose for reporting should be a readily understandable method so that all the parties, if required, can
communicate on a comparable and structured basis. The Client (and his Consultants) require this initially so that
they can, for example compare tenders and quotations their risk. The Contractor, (and subsequently sub-contractors
and suppliers), so that they can also function in a comparative manner but also so that they can identify and manage
their perceived elements of risk. If system can be brought in at an early stage all parties are able to assess the
levels and degrees of risk. One method of achieving this is to develop a "Risk Breakdown Structure", (RBS), and
although the determination of the Breakdown Structure may be different there is present at least a commonality of
thought and method in place which can allow a greater degree of freedom and recognition in any communication and
understanding of risks.
The needs of the parties are different. The Client has an overall view to consider from requirement to commissioning and financing to operating profitability. Contractors are limited to their successful management of a project but this needs to be contained within any company's overall operations so that unlike projects can be compared on a risk basis. Thus the RBS reportage will differ and and there may be more than one level particularly for a client organisation.
The main factor for all parties is to Identify the Risk Areas.
As the client, or his consultant(s), has an overall responsibility a possible RBS could take the following format :-
| Level 1 | The Contract | ||||||||
| Level 2 | Management Field | External Field | Technology Field | ||||||
| Level 3 | Corporate | Customer/Stakeholder | Environmental | Cultural | Economic | Requirements | Performance | Application | |
| Level 4 | Stability | Exposure | Environment | Political | Labour Market | Scope Uncertainty | Technology State | Organisational | |
| Financial Status | Financial Status | Local Services | Legal | Labour type | Job Complexity | Technology Limits | Personnel Skills | ||
| Experience | Project Need | Local Facilities | Interest Grps | Area Financial state | Work Spec's | Import Skills | Eqpt Availability | ||
| Company Size | End Viability | Education | Languages | Funds Available | Suitable Contractors | Track Record | Staff Skills | ||
| Competence | Policies | Climatic | Communication | Materials (T & P) | Resource Levels |
Note :- Level 4 headings not necessarily in order of importance. The degrees of importance will probably be dependant on location and contract.
However, for a Contractor or Supplier the format would be slightly different as the criteria would be limited to the contract :-
| Level 1 | The Contract | ||||
| Level 2 | Management Field | Technical Field | Commercial Field | External Field | |
| Level 3 | Project Management | Scopedefinition | Contractual T & C | Regulations (National) | |
| Organisation | Bill/Spec Details | Warranties | Regulations (Local) | ||
| Resources (Staff) | Technology | Payment Details | Financial Rates (If applic') | ||
| Resources (L & T) | Technical Interfaces | Suspension/Determining | Site & Facilities | ||
| Resources (P & Eq) | Technical Scaling | Sub-contractors | Climate | ||
| Communication | Performance | Procurement | Political | ||
| Corporate Policy | Testing | Applicable Law | Competition | ||
| Reputation | Safety/Security | Client Reliability | Interest Groups | ||
| Degree of Information | Job Concept | Partner (If Req'd) | Force Majeure |
Note :- Level 3 classifications are not necessarily shown in order of importance nor limited to the above. The degree of importance will vary fom contract to contract and possibly location to location.
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