Play at Your Own Risk

 

Over the course of the last couple of years, I've become acquainted with some of the leading analysts in the project management space. I enjoy the opportunities I have to interact with them and absorb their insight into the state of project management and what they see for the future. Earlier this year at the WorkOut user conference, Donna Fitzgerald (@nimblepm) joined us for a live video broadcast of the TalkingWork podcast. Part of what we talked about included how most organizations today are what she described as, "Toxic-ly risk averse." "Projects are risky undertakings," she said.

I have to agree, projects aren't business as usual. If they were, we wouldn't treat them like projects. Their very natures include risk—which most people are very uncomfortable with. Of course, that doesn't meant that we don't do our best to address and mitigate the risk, but I don't think we can eliminate it. In fact, when I think about what Donna describes as "toxic-ly risk averse" it reminds me of a conversation I had with my wife last night.

As most of you know, I ride a motorcycle. My wife asked me if I thought my dad would have enjoyed riding a bike. I remember him telling me about his experience riding an old Harley (when he was younger) with a suicide clutch/shifter. Early model Harleys and Indians had a hand shifter sometimes called suicide a shifter or a jockey shifter. I've never ridden a bike like that, but I've seen them—and apparently my dad did as a young man—and riding the bike scared him. He never rode after that and wasn't a fan of motorcycles because of the experience.

We were talking about how important it is to be aware, but relaxed on the bike. Although I have a healthy respect for the relative risk I experience riding in traffic (I always wear a helmet, riding boots and jacket to protect myself), I am not paralyzed by fear every time I ride. In my opinion, fear on the bike puts the rider and others in danger, and almost guarantees an accident at some point.

I think projects are the same. John F. Kennedy once said, "Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly." I think it's important that we dare to fail—otherwise we will be relegated to create tired, stale and boring products that nobody will want. I wonder if shunning risk because we are "toxic-ly risk averse" is the same as embracing mediocrity and irrelevance?

What is the risk tolerance in your organization? Are you "toxic-ly risk averse"?