So I was reading an article the other day about positive risk. This grabbed my attention, because normally in Project Management, we don’t think of a risk being positive.
Risks usually are focused on the negative, as well as the things that could happen if that negative took place. In reading this, I tried to think of positive risks that could take place with some of the projects that I am involved with.
Let me tell you; attempting to think of positive risks is more difficult than it seems. I find myself thinking of it being an oxymoron, you know, like a 10lb pound cake.
One of the risks I thought of is associated with a Skype for Business deployment, where the positive risk would regarding the client needing to adjust the flow of the network due to so many users using Skype and enhancing their communication. As a Project manager, I want my projects to succeed, and my clients to be happy with the result. Using my Skype for Business example, I would suggest talking up the product to the users, ensuring they had user guides, and instilling that excitement of something new that will help them with their everyday work life. We all know change can be scary and not accepted very well, but if it’s produced in a positive manner and presented as such, the chances of positive user acceptance is greater.
I think it’s great to learn new things and to have a different perspective every now and again. I will think of positive risks moving forward, and what could potentially be a positive risk instead of a negative.
