Your Project Management Daily Risk Assessment

If you aren’t careful, managing a project can feel like being in an office chair, spinning around, and not getting much done.

To avoid this dizzying exercise, a PM needs to prioritize their work. You need to ensure that you are tackling the most essential items and not getting sidetracked by tasks that aren’t essential. How do you do this? Perform a daily risk assessment.

I’m not discussing the risks you capture in a risk management plan. I’m referring to more fundamental risks that arise daily.

For instance, a team member works on a crucial task, but their confidence is wavering. Or, a senior leader might ask a question about a deliverable that leaves the impression that they’ve misunderstood the project’s purpose. These are warning signs that something is brewing.

Addressing these “mini-project manager risks” promptly is essential so they don’t escalate into project risks or issues to be tracked in formal project control documents.

The key to prioritizing this work is to remain constantly attentive. Listen attentively in meetings, read emails carefully for deeper meaning, and frequently reach out to team members and key stakeholders both formally and informally.

I have a master prioritization list that I review every day to compile my risk evaluation to-do items. Any indication that these items aren’t in place or are challenged in any way means I will act immediately.

Here’s my list in priority order:

1. Team members can work confidently, without obstacles. Data and the proper tools to complete their work are available, and their understanding of the work is accurate
2. Stakeholders understand what is happening and are supportive
3. Issues are being addressed
4. Risks in the risk register are being monitored
5. Control documents, like the schedule, risk plan, and status reports, are current and accurate
6. Provide support to people to whom I have delegated tasks
7. Maintain relationships with stakeholders I haven’t touched base with recently
8. Allocate time to mentor team members and expand their skills so I can delegate more

Please note that my master list includes various people-related activities. Project management is a relationship-driven business, and providing proper support and nurturing crucial relationships is my top priority when managing a project.

At the beginning of a project, this list may seem daunting, as if you’ll never get to items 6, 7, or 8. But keep at it; work your way through this list, and as you stabilize your project, you’ll find that you regularly get through this list and won’t feel like you’re spinning in your chair!

This article is based on my LinkedIn Learning course entitled Working Smarter as a Project Manager.