Concepts

This is a normal occurrence, even in well-definitioned project management systems, which explains why the Project Management Institute (PMI) has developed the Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) certification that sharpens individuals’ risk management skills to determine effective workarounds.

Recognizing and managing risks effectively is a matter of weighing the balance between potential loss and reward. MIT’s Project Management Process describes this balance as a facet of every decision made during a project. This includes everything from time management to resource allocation and workarounds, solidified by the PMI-RMP certification.

Understanding Work Arounds

A workaround refers to a process solution or alternate method adopted to circumvent a problem or obstacle in a project. It is usually unplanned, responding to unforeseen issues that weren’t previously identified during risk assessment. The objective of a workaround is to keep the project on schedule, nobly bearing the mantles of risk aversion and problem-solving.

PMI-RMP Professional’s Role in Workarounds

Professionals armed with PMI-RMP certification are primarily responsible for recognizing and identifying potential problems and risks affecting a project. Post this, they’re tasked with creating risk management strategies that encompass prevention, mitigation, and workaround plans for identified risks.

In a situation where a risk manifests and threatens project execution, professionals must then look to their identified workaround strategies. In case these strategies turn out to be inapplicable, their task transcends into establishing a new workaround plan in real-time. This workaround plan should ensure minimal disruption and impact on the project completion date, scope, and overall cost.

A certified PMI-RMP professional will typically follow a structured process when determining a workaround:

  • Identify the Risk: The issue with the project must be identified. This is more so a symptom of a hidden risk previously unidentified within the risk management plan.
  • Assess the Impact: Assess the potential impact of the problem on the project. This generally includes factors like feasibility, costs, project timeline, and resources.
  • Evaluate Options: The professional must evaluate the available options and choose the best workaround approach, culminating in the most effective resolution with the least amount of adverse effects.
  • Implement Workaround: Implement the selected alternate approach to manage the current issue and avoid significant disruptions.
  • Record Results: Document the workaround and its results. This helps in refining future project risk management plans, equipping them to deal with similar challenges.

Examples of Workarounds in Project Management

Let’s dive into an example. If a project dependent on outdoor construction is impeded by unexpected weather conditions (a risk not identified in the initial risk management plan), a workaround might be seeking an alternate indoor location or rescheduling the construction to a later date when weather conditions are more favorable.

Workarounds Vs. Contingency Plans

Although similar in addressing risks, workarounds and contingency plans aren’t identical. Contingency plans are recognised and laid out during risk management planning, i.e., they’re planned responses to identified risks. Workarounds, on the other hand, are unplanned responses to unidentified risks.

Contingency Plan Workaround
Purpose Expected Risk Response Unexpected Risk Response
Planning Stage Planned during Risk Management Planning Not Planned, Reactive
Activation When Trigger Conditions are Met When Unexpected Issue Arises

To conclude, effective project management requires astute risk identification and workaround strategies. By cultivating these skills, as is the aim of the PMI-RMP certification, professionals can better guide their projects towards success, evading impeding issues adroitly, and optimising overall project performance.

Answer the Questions in Comment Section

True or False: Workarounds are always planned in advance to deal with risks.

Answer: False

Explanation: Workarounds are typically unplanned responses to issues that have not been previously identified or not identified as high priority risks.

Multiple Select: Which of the following could be considered as part of determining workarounds?

  • a) Identifying potential risks
  • b) Analyzing the impact of risks
  • c) Taking preventive actions
  • d) Resolving technical problems

Answer: a), b), d)

Explanation: Although all options are part of risk management, taking preventive actions is part of risk response planning and not specifically part of determining workarounds.

True or False: A workaround should be designed as a permanent solution to a risk.

Answer: False

Explanation: Workarounds are temporary measures used to deal with unexpected issues or risks until a permanent solution can be determined.

Single Select: What is the primary objective of determining a workaround in risk management?

  • a) To ignore the risk
  • b) To permanently solve the risk
  • c) To avoid the risk
  • d) To handle the risk until a permanent solution is found

Answer: d) To handle the risk until a permanent solution is found

Explanation: The primary objective of workarounds is to keep the project on track until a decision can be made or a permanent solution can be implemented.

True or False: All projects should include a workaround as part of their risk management strategy.

Answer: True

Explanation: Although workarounds are not planned risks responses, they can be an essential part of risk management strategy to effectively deal with unexpected issues or risks.

Multiple select: Effective workarounds can help in:

  • a) Keeping the project on track
  • b) Managing unexpected risks
  • c) Reducing project costs
  • d) Improving project quality

Answer: a), b)

Explanation: The use of workarounds is more focused on effectively handling unexpected risks and maintaining project progress, rather than reducing costs or enhancing quality.

True or False: In risk management, workarounds are developed after a risk has occurred.

Answer: True

Explanation: Workarounds are developed and implemented as an immediate response to a risk that has materialized.

Single Select: Which document will include workarounds?

  • a) Project charter
  • b) Risk management plan
  • c) Project management plan
  • d) Issue log

Answer: d) Issue log

Explanation: The issue log captures action items and issues that arise during project execution. This is where workarounds would be documented.

True or False: The use of workarounds eliminates the risk completely.

Answer: False

Explanation: Workarounds manage the risk temporarily while a permanent solution is being determined.

Multiple Select: Who plays a key role in identifying and implementing workarounds?

  • a) The project manager
  • b) The risk management team
  • c) Project stakeholders
  • d) The quality management team

Answer: a), b), c)

Explanation: Project manager, risk management team and project stakeholders all play a key role in identifying and implementing workarounds.

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Jerome Woods
7 months ago

This blog post on ‘Determine the work around’ was really helpful for my PMI-RMP exam preparation. Thanks!

Raouf Vogel
8 months ago

Can anyone explain how to prioritize risks during the determination of workarounds?

Natalia Ortega
6 months ago

Thank you for the detailed information!

محمد رضایی
8 months ago

Great insights! This is really going to help me in my upcoming PMI-RMP exam.

Anna Montero
6 months ago

I didn’t find the examples very useful.

Jerome Woods
8 months ago

What role does a risk response plan play in determining workarounds?

Angela Cano
7 months ago

Thanks for the very informative post!

Tilde Jensen
8 months ago

Can someone explain the difference between a contingency plan and a workaround?

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