Question

Controlling risks, also referred to as “Risk Treatment”, will assist you in determining WHAT should be done in response to the risks that have been identified, in order to improve project outcomes. Fundamentally, the concept of controlling risks emphasizes the fact that, unless action is taken, the risk identification and assessment process has been wasted. Risk treatment converts the earlier analysis into substantive actions to reduce the levels of those risks with negative consequences and exploit the risks with positive consequences.

Applying your understanding of the concept of Controlling Risks, please share at least two risks that you have identified in completion of a job tasks or project (in a past or present role) and the specific actions you have taken to improve outcomes.

In your response, consider the following:

1. What was the objective of your Control (Treatment) Plan?
   1. To impact the likelihood that the risks would occur?
   2. To impact the consequence that the risks would have on your project?

2. Was your Control (Treatment) Plan effective? Why or Why not?

3. What would you do differently next time you have to develop and implement a new control plan? Please Explain.

Answer 1

The two risks that I have identified in the completion of the job tasks are from my former employer, a multinational publishing company. I was the Journal Manager in-charge of publishing a portfolio of journals. One job task involved placing a hold on articles that had copyright issues. The details of the copyright issue for one of the articles were sent via email from the rights and permission team. However, I missed to read this email which eventually resulted in publishing this article. I had to contact the technical team to remove the article from the journal issue. It was a highly cumbersome technical task. The risk of publishing the article online would lead to serious consequences such as lawsuits. This risk was controlled by taking steps to avoid such issues. I ensured that all copyright emails are moved to separate folders and a copy is placed the respective journal folder which would be referred to before compiling the articles for the journal issue.

The second risk was also in the same field. The journal’s specific requirement was that the editor sends the manuscripts via email. As a Journal Manager, I need to login these manuscripts into the production software to send them to the production team for further processing of the articles to be ready for publishing. When I was a new employee, I never knew that such process exists. One day, it revealed to me that there were no papers in the pipeline. I immediately contacted the mentor and he guided me to login the papers as express publication. I was able to publish the articles on-time in the journal issue. To avoid this risk of not publishing the journal issue on-time, I ensured that the manuscripts are logged into the production software as soon as I receive the email. I ensure that there is zero delay in sending the articles to the production team.

What was the objective of your Control (Treatment) Plan?

1. To impact the likelihood that the risks would occur?

The objective of my control plan had a great impact on the least likelihood of its occurrence again.

2. To impact the consequence that the risks would have on your project?

                The objective of my control plan includes the impact level of the consequences of the risks . The risk level is noted as high, medium and low and prioritization will be done accordingly.

- My control plan was effective because the risks were greatly reduced and the journals publishing process was seamless.

- I would be proactive in identifying the potential risk factors and take action accordingly. This would be my alternative to develop and implement a new control plan.