Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the challenges that managers face in assessing the likely risks and benefits that need to be taken into account when choosing projects. It explores the strategic level risks that will need to be dealt with in managing those projects and suggests risk management strategies. The book considers the strategic level risks that organizations may face when taking on projects of different types. It shows how the use of a project typology can guide project risk management by identifying common risks shared by projects of each type. The book also explores how the learning from early stage project risk appraisal (pre-decision) can benefit project management (post-decision), with practical implications for knowledge transfer from strategic decision-making to project management. It also considers basic level of knowledge and understanding of the principles of project management, such as is found in the practitioner guides.