Risk Perception Assignment On Evaluation Of Successful Project Implementation

Question

Task: Drawing on independent research and critical analysis of the concept of risk, evaluate the impact people within an organisation can have on the successful implementation of a project in complex operating environments. Use real case studies and examples to support your argument.

Assessment Requirements:

• Demonstrate understanding of relevant course content, readings and evidence of your further research 
• Demonstrate analytical, evidence based and critical thinking 
• Demonstrate academic research, writing and presentation skills 
• Submit the paper as a word file via the Submission Link 1on Blackboard with an Individual Coversheet as the front page.

Answer

Introduction
The present report of risk perception assignment adhere the concept of risk as the exposure of an organization or company to the factors that have the capability of lowering the profits or can cause the business to fail (Slovic, 2016). In simple words, risk is something through which the ability of a company to achieve its financial goals or to meet its targets is threatened. This report focuses on researching and analyzing the concept of risk along with the evaluation of the people’s impact within an organization can have on a project’s successful implementation in complex operating environments.

Concept of Risk Perception
Risk perception is a subjective judgment made by the people regarding the severity and characteristics of a risk (Slovic, 2016). The use of this phrase is mostly notices in case of natural hazards and the dangers to the environment as in case of nuclear power. There are a number of theories which have been developed over a period of time for the purpose of explaining why different estimates are made by different people regarding the dangerousness of risks. The main approaches developed in this context of risk perception assignment are sociology/ anthropology approaches (cultural theory), psychology approaches (cognitive and heuristics) and interdisciplinary approaches (social amplification of the framework of risk) (Luhmann, 2017).

There is a difference between the term complex and complicated. The term complexity implies that its structure is not simple and there is a connection among its component parts in a non- trivial way. On the other hand, the term complicated means difficulty in its usage. Some specific kinds of complex operating environments include urban slums, conflict zones and deep rural areas. These complex operating environment are some of the most unlikely markets. They often suffer from the lack of legal frameworks and systems and therefore can be the one which do not come under the control of the government institutions. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the business organizations to enforce legally binding contracts in such areas. Moreover, complex operating environment lacks the key infrastructure for the smooth functioning of the business and for underpinning efficient commerce. There is a complete absence of such infrastructure in the deep rural areas and the urban slums, while the infrastructure in conflict zone suffer from purposeful destruction, steeling and damage. Furthermore, there is a shortage of skilled people in such environment which can be as a result of two reasons namely lack of availability and willingness to work. Schooling systems and formal educations cannot be afforded by people leading to the absence of skilled employees in such areas. Business partners and employees in the conflict zones are reluctant for facing risks to their personal safety. Therefore, the successful implementation of the projects in the complex operating environment is a risky task (Kupp and Anderson, 2012).

Define role of people in contributing to successful implementation of a project within this risk perception assignment.
The successful implementation of the project in a complex operating environment is possible only when the people within the organization build confidence that the desired outcomes can be achieved. They can use their small wins for setting an expectation that outcomes can be achieved in the future as well. Such positivity brings confidence among the other members and senior management as well that the project can be implemented successfully. They can also demonstrate the desired leadership skills for guiding the organizations towards the right path for the success of project implementation in complex business environment (Camilleri, 2016). Such people are then able to take the responsibility for the project and show adequate confidence for dealing with the inevitable difficulties that will arise in the way. They are further willing to think out of the box and think creatively to meet the desired goals. Such people get to know that the support of all the employees and workers is necessary for proceeding towards the right direction and path. Therefore, they can use their leadership skills for the purpose of setting the boundaries relating to acceptable behavior, deliver of work, teamwork, quality of work and the manner of handling the work in cases where the things go out of control (Radujkovi? and Sjekavica, 2017).

The people within the organization can also create a sense of urgency. This is due to the fact that the firms are expected to perform extraordinary things in situations where there are possibilities of commercial or legal action. Risk awareness is necessary for the identification of the issues early and for igniting the team into action. Flexibility is the most important factor which should be taken into consideration by the project managers and its team. The project managers should become the first individual to adapt to change. This will impact everyone else working within the organization to introduce change within their working areas. Diversity in the team members can offer diverse experiences, background and skills to the organization. Therefore, it is important to become inclusive and adopt a diverse mix of business, technical and cultural contributions for the success of the project. Furthermore, the existence of positive team culture is an important aspect which can perform the function of rewarding the outstanding behavior and recognizing contribution (Zheng, Xu, Wang and Chen, 2017).

The people working at different levels for the implementation of project should anticipate the challenges along with finding the ways for overcoming them on timely basis. This should be performed by the individuals on individual levels and on team levels for delivering the better project outcomes. Furthermore, there should be an active management of stakeholder engagement. Informed stakeholders are in a better position of making the key decisions regarding the business. The information should not be offered only in the meeting room but should be provided as early and often as possible. They should be provided one- on- one briefs along with the information relating to the identified obstacles and the ways to address them. Influence should also be used for the purpose of gaining beneficial outcomes for the projects and the team members.

Since the external environment of the business is not under control for the people working within the organization, they can aim at building strong personal relationships that can help them in securing the needed resources at critical times. In the modern business, it is very essential to establish good working relationships with honesty. Honesty here implies that the bad news regarding the business should also be delivered on time along with the available options and recommendations (ul Musawir, Serra, Zwikael and Ali, 2017).

It is mentioned in this risk perception assignment that the project managers can use their influence for the protection of their teams. The task of delivering the project is basically performed by the team members and not the project managers. Therefore, they should be protected from the adverse outcomes and should be enabled for performing the task with focus and efficiency. For facilitating the success of the project implementation, the employees are required to understand that this will have an impact on their job duties and responsibilities directly and indirectly. Therefore, understanding is required to be developed among the employees that some jobs and responsibility will continue as it is and some will change for operating in the complex environment. As far as the indirect changes are concerned, there should be awareness among the employees of the changes that are taking place at different levels of the organization and the way in which it will impact their job function (Todorovi?, Petrovi?, Mihi?, Obradovi? and Bushuyev, 2015). This can be explained with the help of an example. If some changes are mad in the reporting requirement of some department, then it will require the employees of entire organization to provide data in a different manner. Complying with such requirements is necessary for all the employees as all the departments are connected directly or indirectly.

The appointment of change leaders is essential for the successful implementation of the project in complex operating environment. Such leaders are responsible for overseeing the process and therefore assist in its implementation and securing process changes in the workplace. An example is set by the change leaders for the other employees along with serving as a point of contract for them when concerns or difficulties arise. The employees can easily seek help from an appropriate channel which, in turn, reduces rumors and negative morale among the employees (Aga, Noorderhaven and Vallejo, 2016).

In order to look for growth opportunities, the companies are increasingly shifting to developing markets from the developed markets. The companies are also preferring complex operating environments such as urban slums, conflict zones and deep rural areas. For the purpose of making this successful, these companies are often willing to build local capabilities, develop business models and cooperate with the local partners (Wu, Liu, Zhao and Zuo, 2017).

The example of the company Zain discussed in this risk perception assignment is appropriate for this purpose. The company established a functioning network within a period of 60 days and now has more than 80 per cent population coverage. The company has put efforts into the development of highly skilled local network engineers which is now being replicated across functions as the company is now developing young Iraqi professionals in disciplines such as distribution, marketing and communication and customer care. It employed approximately 2500 people directly along with 50,000 people which are employed by the wider Iraqi mobile telecommunications sector. The company contributed more than US$ 250 million in indirect and direct salaries to the Iraqi economy. The company considers itself as the part of the Iraqi society and therefore they are dynamically tied to Iraq and its people. If Iraq suffers then the company also suffers and if Iraq enjoys and the company also enjoys (Kupp and Anderson, 2012).

Another example is of Celtel Nigeria which became one of the largest mobile telecommunications organization in the Nigerian market. The entrepreneurs of Celtel became the exclusive representatives in their communities and also became responsible for the basic maintenance and base station site security. The people employed by the organization were aware of those slums and therefore they were able to identify people who have already dealt with the intricacies of the local environment. Therefore, the help of the local business people of the slums such as the fancy good shop owners or tailors was taken. This was due to the fact that they were already running their business in such market and their experience can be easily trusted. The company further linked with the entrepreneurs for co- developing the management practices that are tested and refined for deep rural regions in which the franchisees of the company managed their businesses (Kupp and Anderson, 2012).

Conclusion
Therefore, it can be concluded after analyzing the context of risk perception assignment that operating in a complex environment is quite risky for the organization. Risk is the exposure of an organization or company to the factors that have the capability of lowering the profits or can cause the business to fail. This report focused on researching and analyzing the concept of risk along with the evaluation of the impact people within an organization can have on a project’s successful implementation in complex operating environments. Risk perception is a subjective judgment made by the people regarding the severity and characteristics of a risk. Some specific kinds of complex operating environments include urban slums, conflict zones and deep rural areas. The outcomes of the project implementation cannot be judged in advance for such areas. Flexibility and risk awareness are the most important factors which should be taken into consideration by the project managers and its team. For the purpose of making the project implementation successful, these companies are often willing to build local capabilities, develop business models and cooperate with the local partners. Zain and Celtel are the companies which have succeeded with the help of building local capabilities and cooperating with the local partners. Risk perception assignments are being prepared by our risk management assignment help experts from top universities which let us to provide you a reliable assignment help online service.

Reference List
Aga, D.A., Noorderhaven, N. and Vallejo, B., 2016. Transformational leadership and project success: The mediating role of team-building. International Journal of Project Management, 34(5), pp.806-818.

Camilleri, E., 2016. Project success: critical factors and behaviours. Routledge.

Kupp, M. and Anderson, J. A. 2012. Risk perception assignment. Managing in Complex Operating Environments. Marketing Review St. Gallen. 29(3), pp.46-51.

Luhmann, N., 2017. Risk: a sociological theory. Routledge.

Radujkovi?, M. and Sjekavica, M., 2017. Project management success factors. Procedia engineering, 196, pp.607-615.

Slovic, P., 2016. The perception of risk. Routledge.

Todorovi?, M.L., Petrovi?, D.?., Mihi?, M.M., Obradovi?, V.L. and Bushuyev, S.D., 2015. Project success analysis framework: A knowledge-based approach in project management. International Journal of Project Management, 33(4), pp.772-783.

ul Musawir, A., Serra, C.E.M., Zwikael, O. and Ali, I., 2017. Project governance, benefit management, and project success: Towards a framework for supporting organizational strategy implementation. International Journal of Project Management, 35(8), pp.1658-1672.

Wu, G., Liu, C., Zhao, X. and Zuo, J., 2017. Investigating the relationship between communication-conflict interaction and project success among construction project teams. International Journal of Project Management, 35(8), pp.1466-1482.

Zheng, H., Xu, B., Wang, T. and Chen, D., 2017. Project implementation success in reward-based crowdfunding: An empirical study. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 21(3), pp.424-448.