Identify Risk | General Overview

In the Australian architecture and construction industry, uncertainty is a constant. From unexpected site conditions and planning approval delays to supply chain shifts, managing project delivery successfully requires a proactive approach.

Under the Project Management Institute (PMI®) standard, the Identify Risk process is the key to unlocking this predictability.

What is the 'Identify Risk' Process?

Identify Risk is the continuous process of identifying individual project risks as well as sources of overall project risk, and documenting their unique characteristics.

The core benefit of this process is two-fold:

It documents existing risks so they are clearly visible, and it gathers actionable information so the project team can construct an appropriate, highly targeted response.

A Process Performed Throughout the Project

Unlike other administrative tasks, identifying risks is highly iterative and must be performed throughout the project's lifecycle.

As an architectural project progresses from schematic design through to construction administration, new risks emerge while older risks disappear.

The frequency and level of participation in these risk identification cycles are defined early on within your project's overall Risk Management Plan.

Why Every Stakeholder Matters

For a risk identification cycle to be truly effective, it must be highly collaborative.

Key participants should include:

• Project Managers and Team Members: Involving the internal project team is crucial; it develops and maintains a strong sense of ownership and responsibility for managing those risks.
• External Experts: Consultants, engineers, code specialists, and heritage advisers.
• Clients and End Users: To capture operational, commercial, and functional requirements.

By standardising this process and using a consistent, clear format for your risk statements, you ensure every risk is understood unambiguously.

This consistency forms the bedrock for subsequent qualitative analysis and response planning.

What Lies Ahead: Inputs, Tools, and Outputs

This overview is just the first step.

To master the Identify Risk process, we must look at how it functions as an integrated system.

In our upcoming posts in this series, we will break down:

1. The Inputs: The project documents, plans, and environmental factors that feed your risk profile.
2. The Tools & Techniques: The analytical methods, workshops, and expert strategies used to expose hidden risks.
3. The Outputs: The creation of the Project Risk Register and Risk Report, which guide your team through to successful project completion.

Course Information & Syllabus Download

Click the image below to learn more about our 12-hour online training on risk management for architects, aligned with 12 CPD. The link will take you directly to the landing page of the course where you can download the full syllabus, explore module details, and see how the curriculum is mapped to the NSCA 2021.