In Waterfall and Agile model, what are the project risks that a PM should be aware of and consider in the beginning and during the project? Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Mohammad, there isn’t a one-size-fit-all answer to this question as risks are project specific and somehow unique to every project so what applies to one project, might not apply to others.
You should do full risk assessment on each project.
As Rami has indicated, risks are project-specific and the approach taken to deliver a project (e.g. predictive, adaptive) can reduce the severity of certain risks but might increase others.
For example, if a project has a likelihood of rapidly evolving requirements, an adaptive approach might address the risk of delivering the wrong product or service, but might introduce new risks such as the risk of rework due to insufficient exploration of candidate solutions or architectures.
I agree with Rami. Risks aren't fixed for waterfall or agile modes. Each project has its particular risks, according to the nature of the project, the area of knowledge, environmental conditions, political circumstances at the moment, etc. However, you can follow certain processes to guarantee adequate risk management:
*Risk identification:
-Using techniques such as Brainstorming, Delphi Technique, Root Cause Analysis, and interviewing experts.
-Establishment of a risk register -SWOT analysis
-Cause and effect diagrams
* Qualitative risk analysis:
-Subjective evaluation of risk.
-Risk probability and impact assessment.
-Risk categorization
*Quantitative risk analysis:
-Numerically analyzing the effect of identified risk on project objectives
-EMV Decision tree
-Data gathering and analysis. Modeling techniques.
*Plan risk responses
*Control risks Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
There is a big mistake here. Waterfall is a life cycle. Agile is an approach. In fact, you can apply Agile approach with Waterfall life cycle. For example, in software domain, there is a seminal work from Tom Gilbs called EVO that will demonstrate that. Beyond that, myself and others have been that it from long time ago. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Both Waterfall and Agile models carry risks — some shared, others unique.
A seasoned PM treats risk management as a continuous discipline, not a one-off checklist.
It's not about avoiding uncertainty, but about enabling transparency, readiness, and resilience.
Regardless of the approach, a proactive PM embeds risk thinking into every phase — from charter to closure. Saving Changes...
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