How can you identify potential risks in GIS projects?

1 What are risks in GIS projects?

Risks are uncertain events or conditions that can have a positive or negative impact on your project objectives. Some risks are inherent to the nature of GIS, such as data availability, accuracy, and compatibility, while others are related to the project management and communication aspects, such as scope changes, stakeholder expectations, and team collaboration. Risks can be internal or external, depending on whether they originate from within or outside your project.

2 How to use a risk matrix?

A risk matrix is a simple tool that helps you assess the likelihood and impact of each risk, and prioritize them accordingly. A risk matrix consists of a grid with four quadrants, representing different levels of risk exposure: low, moderate, high, and extreme. You can assign a numerical or qualitative value to each axis, and plot your risks accordingly. For example, you can use a scale of 1 to 5 for likelihood, and 1 to 10 for impact, and then multiply them to get a risk score. Alternatively, you can use labels such as rare, unlikely, possible, likely, and almost certain for likelihood, and negligible, minor, moderate, major, and catastrophic for impact.

3 How to use a risk register?

A risk register is a document that records and tracks the details of each risk, such as its description, category, source, owner, status, response strategy, and action plan. A risk register helps you document the history and evolution of each risk, and communicate them to your project team and stakeholders. A risk register can be created using a spreadsheet, a database, or a project management software. A risk register should be updated regularly throughout the project lifecycle, as new risks emerge or existing ones change.

4 How to identify risks in GIS projects?

Identifying risks in GIS projects requires a systematic and proactive approach, involving various sources of information and perspectives. Brainstorming with your project team and stakeholders, using checklists and templates, conducting interviews, using surveys or questionnaires, and employing analytical techniques such as gap analysis or Monte Carlo simulation are all methods you can use to identify potential risks in GIS projects. For example, brainstorming can help generate a list of risks based on experience, knowledge, and expectations; checklists can cover common risks in GIS projects; interviews can elicit views and concerns from key project participants; surveys can collect data from a large or diverse group of stakeholders; and analytical techniques can compare the current and desired state of the project or evaluate the effect of different variables on project outcomes.

5 How to mitigate risks in GIS projects?

Mitigating risks in GIS projects involves reducing their likelihood or impact, or both, through appropriate actions or strategies. Depending on the risk exposure, you can use strategies such as avoiding a risk by changing your project plan, scope, or design; transferring the risk to a third party; reducing the risk through preventive or corrective measures; or accepting the risk by acknowledging its potential consequences and allocating resources or contingency plans to deal with it. A risk matrix and a risk register can help you identify, assess, and prioritize your risks. By using effective risk response strategies, you can improve your project quality, budget, and timeline, and deliver value to clients and users.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?