Hello.

I’m a person who constantly runs scenarios – possibly a little too much in my personal life, actually. All sorts of what ifs, maybes, perchances and poss​ibilities. It’s not that I want to be able to predict my life, but I enjoy exploring the possibilities.

I think that’s why I’ve always enjoyed the fact that risk management is a part of every role I play – whether leading a simple project or complex programme, in a business consulting role or an executive position.

I recently received an email from a colleague, asking what books on risk I would recommend. I thought about it for a little while, had me realise that there aren’t many.

I remember reading – and enjoying – DeMarco’s Waltzing with Bears almost ten years ago*, but largely I think I have a better approach to risk than many books I do know of.

Why? Most seem to be massive tomes, writing far too much about something that is just not that complicated. So I thought I’d write a series of articles to outline my thoughts, approaches and some models/tools.

Note that I rarely invent anything, so I’m sure anything covered in the next few pages is borrowed or stolen from someone I’ve come across at some point in my life. Thank you in advance!

* I also really enjoyed his fictional project management book, Deadline, and while writing this piece discovered that he’s written some fiction, which I am adding to my personal backlog!