Guessing is not a strategy: How to build decision velocity with AI and real-time data
June 10, 2026 | Live Webinar
From Risk to Decision
As a senior program/project manager I spend most of my professional career in international program/project management, focusing on distributed projects in multi-cultural environments. People I work with recognize me for my ability to assess a situation quickly and define adequate and pragmatic actions to bring projects back on track. My style of management can be characterized as can-do, a pragmatic approach focusing on delivery.
Risk management is an activity which should be applied constantly throughout the project to be prepared for potential disturbance. The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has conducted studies and provides insides in project and programme management. With respect to risk management a 4 T approach is suggested. The T’s stand for Treat, Terminate, Tolerate and Transfer. The 4 T’s together with risk tolerance boundaries form the basis for pro-active risk management.
The 4 T’s explained
Normally, there is a risk identification session at the start of the project. The risks, together with the likelihood and the impact, are assessed and mitigation actions are defined. Often there are risks which have a very high impact or likelihood and impact which can not be controlled with the normal project management methods. These risks might be transferred or terminated.
When risks can not be transferred or terminated the validity or the feasibility of the project might be questioned. Whenever this occurs, these risks with their impact need to be discussed with the steering committee or project sponsor to obtain full awareness and support. A re-assessment of the business case is strongly recommended.
The OGC has defined the following way of dealing with risks:
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Tolerate
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Treat
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Terminate
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