Avoid (Risk Strategy)
Avoid is a threat response strategy that eliminates the threat by changing the project management plan to remove the risk entirely, protect the project objectives, or relax the objective that is at risk.
Explanation
The avoid strategy takes action to ensure the threat cannot occur or that it can have no impact on the project. This might involve changing the project scope, adjusting the schedule, modifying the technical approach, or using a proven technology instead of an unproven one.
For example, if a complex integration poses a risk of significant delays, the team might avoid the risk by removing that integration from scope or by selecting a different technology with a proven track record. Extending the project schedule to allow more testing time is another form of avoidance if it removes the schedule risk.
Avoidance is the most definitive threat response but may not always be practical or cost-effective. It often involves trade-offs—removing scope may reduce risk but also reduces delivered value. The strategy is typically reserved for high-priority threats where the cost of avoidance is justified by the severity of the potential impact.
Key Points
- •Eliminates the threat entirely by changing the project plan
- •May involve scope changes, schedule extensions, or technology substitutions
- •Most definitive response but may involve trade-offs in scope or cost
- •Best suited for high-priority threats where avoidance cost is justified
Exam Tip
Avoid means the risk is completely eliminated. If the risk still exists at a reduced level, that is mitigation, not avoidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
Risk Response Strategies for Threats
Risk response strategies for threats are the five approaches available to address negative risks: avoid, mitigate, transfer, accept, and escalate. Each strategy aims to reduce the probability, impact, or exposure of a threat.
Mitigate (Risk Strategy)
Mitigate is a threat response strategy that reduces the probability of occurrence and/or the impact of a threat to within acceptable limits. The risk is not eliminated but brought to a manageable level.
Plan Risk Responses
Plan Risk Responses is the process of developing options, selecting strategies, and agreeing on actions to address overall project risk exposure and to treat individual project risks.
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