Editorial Review:
Proactive Risk Management provides product development teams and managers with a step-by-step process for managing innovation risk in an effective cross-functional manner. In addition to providing a formula, this book illuminates the rationale of managing project risks allowing project and product development managers to successfully adapt the process to their organizations and projects. Proactive Risk Management's unique approach provides: - A model of risk that is scalable to any size project or program and easily deployable as the risk management approach built into any product development or project management life cycle. - Methods for identifying drivers (causes) of risks so you can manage root causes rather than the symptoms of risks. - An appropriate quantification of the key factors of a risk that allows you to prioritize risks without introducing errors that render your numbers meaningless. - A clear distinction between a risk and an issue and the different types of management they require. - A vast array of supporting tools and strategies that support implementation of an effective project risk management program. - Guidance on identifying and overcoming the organizational and cultural impediments that can block implementation of your risk management program. Proactive Risk Management stands apart from much of the literature on project risk management in its practical, easy-to-use, fact-based approach to managing all of the risks associated with a project. The depth of actual how-to information and techniques provided here is not available anywhere else. _____________________ Advance Praise for Proactive Risk Management: "The authors present an easy-to-understand model and an easy-to-implement set of steps to successful risk management. This book should be required reading for project and product managers. I believe you can read it one day, implement it the next, and begin seeing results immediately. The model and approach presented here navigates the knife-edge between the obvious babbling and the philosophical musing that seems to dominate the risk management literature." Patrick Neal, Ph.D. PMP, Manager, Project Management Network, Agilent Technologies "In our fast-paced environment, there is ever-increasing pressure to bring successful new products and services to market faster than before. This means that risk management is strategically important to the success of your project or venture. Proactive Risk Management provides proven techniques for assessing and avoiding risks before they hinder the results of your project. This excellent manual will be my standard reference on the subject from now on." Dr. Peter Maddern, Product Development Manager, Kimberly-Clark Europe "Successfully managing complex product development projects -- and keeping effected customers, stakeholders and team members connected -- requires clear communication. In my experience as a leader of projects and project managers -- in Defense, Aerospace, Commercial Consumer Electronics, and Medical Devices/Bio Pharmaceuticals -- the most effective basis for that communication is risk identification and management. Proactive Risk Management provides an extremely practical guide to the tools, techniques, and strategies that best enable that risk-based communication. It is clear that identifying and accepting the "right" risks within a project can be a powerful competitive edge. Keep a copy of this book on your desk and in the hands of your teams - I will." Mike Shires, Vice President, Global Program Management, Baxter Healthcare "This book clearly communicates the challenges of risk management in product development and provides simple, proven methods for addressing them. The authors' experience with managing risk in product development is clearly evidenced in their practical treatment of the subject. They take a holistic view of product development and illuminate the cross-functional nature of risk in product development. They then offer a straightforward procedure for managing risk and suggestions for implementing techniques in the real world." Kent Harmon, Director, Product Development Improvement, HPA Division, Texas Instruments "You can read Proactive Risk Management, begin implementing strategies, and start seeing immediate results. For survival in these uncertain times, Smith and Merritt offer the straightforward procedures applicable to any product development project." Ruth Carter, Director of Program Management, InFocus Corporation "Proactive Risk Management provides the right amount of depth and breadth in its discussion of ways to model, predict, measure, and control risks that arise in projects. It is written in a style that is easy to read and understand; a style that makes you eager to apply the knowledge to your own projects. I am sure that I will go back to it repeatedly for insights and tactics." Dr. J.M. Radovich, Director, Research & Development Fenwal Division, Baxter
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Customer Reviews
Average Customer Rating: 
Beginner's "Reader"  2006-05-10
I really tuned into the title "Proactive" Risk Management -- expecting to learn some new and valuable risk management techniques, and I relied heavily on other reviewer's comments; unfortunately, my take on this book is quite different from theirs -- and that's why I'm writing -- so that others won't be misled, as I was.
I was quite disappointed in this book; I feel like I wasted my money. Normally I read such books very carefully; highlighting interesting and/or important points, and take lots of notes; however, this book is almost un-marked, and I took no notes.
As a PMP-certified project manager, I like to see books such as this relate their material to the Project Management Institute (PMI)'s PMBOK.
The authors made passing reference to the PMBOK early in Chapter 1, but that was about it; they didn't specifically relate their content to PMI's PMBOK, and given PMI's stature as industry standard, I consider that to be a significant omission.
If you're new to the area of risk management, and want an easy-to-read "How-To," you might enjoy this book.
However, if you're an experienced project/risk manager, I'd recommend you buy something else.
As for me, I'll put it on my bookshelf, where it will probably simply gather dust. I found this book to be merely a "re-hash" of other material, with little information that that I didn't already know, i.e., "lightweight," a beginner's introductory "Reader".
Giood coverage, and practical  2006-03-01
I liked the coverage, and felt the book was of practical value.
It wasn't just a lecture, teaching generic terms, it explained how to use the concepts and what to avoid.
Plan ahead. What can go wrong that I can do something about, and plan for that well in advance. Concentrate on 7-10 things that can be managed.
Highly practical  2004-08-12
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time on the important topic of risk management. The treatment of the standard risk model is complete, easy to follow, and very practical. Some of the other bonuses include organization/facilitation tips for risk identification workshops, and proposals for tools and reporting formats. The material will quickly lend itself to practical applications in the work place for those who are interested in improving the risk identification and management practices in their organizations.
Possible improvements to the book could include more technical examples related to product development (the book uses the risk of `heart attack' as an example throughout the book), and a CD with electronic versions of the tools and reports that are proposed.
Clear and Informative 2003-06-10
Over the years, I have encountered nearly every kind of risk in software projects. I found the suggestions in this book for risk analysis and risk management to be simple, clear, and actionable. If you're a project manager or a team leader, you need to read this book or one very much like it. Otherwise, you're likely to lead a project without knowing or controlling its risks. If you are not in a leadership position, use the concepts in this book to evaluate your leaders. That way, you can find out early how things are likely to turn out.
best book on prject management risk analysis 2003-05-01
I found this book to be the most approachable, and day to day useful text on risk, currrently available. The authors make it easy to understand, provide a progressive example that builds on the model presented, and they provide a useful risk management toolkit.
As a trainer, I found the concepts easy to get across to students. They were also able to retain these concepts because they made so much sense.
Buy it!
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