Escalate (Risk Strategy)
Escalate is a risk response strategy used when a risk is outside the scope or authority of the project team. The risk is transferred upward to a program, portfolio, or organizational level where it can be effectively managed.
Explanation
Escalation is appropriate when a risk affects objectives beyond the project level, requires authority or resources the project manager does not have, or is better managed at a higher organizational level. Examples include strategic risks, regulatory changes, enterprise-level resource constraints, or risks that span multiple projects in a program.
When a risk is escalated, ownership shifts to the appropriate level (program manager, portfolio manager, or PMO). The risk is still documented in the project risk register with a note that it has been escalated, but the project team is no longer responsible for developing or implementing a response.
Escalation was formally introduced as a named strategy in the PMBOK Guide Sixth Edition. It applies to both threats and opportunities. The key distinction from transfer is that escalation moves the risk within the organization (upward), while transfer shifts it to an external third party.
Key Points
- •Used when risk is outside the project scope or authority
- •Ownership moves to program, portfolio, or organizational level
- •Applies to both threats and opportunities
- •Different from transfer: escalation is internal (upward), transfer is external
Exam Tip
Escalation is for risks beyond the project team's control. If a question describes a risk requiring executive decisions or spanning multiple projects, "escalate" is likely the correct response.
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.
Risk Response Strategies for Opportunities
Risk response strategies for opportunities are the five approaches used to address positive risks: exploit, enhance, share, accept, and escalate. Each strategy aims to increase the probability, impact, or both of a beneficial risk event.
Transfer (Risk Strategy)
Transfer is a threat response strategy that shifts the negative impact and ownership of a threat to a third party. The risk is not eliminated but the responsibility for managing it moves to another entity.
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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