Application of systems thinking to the identification, avoidance and prevention of risk

Undertaking a project is a high risk activity. The ability to identify potential risks and to take steps to avoid them are two of the most important aspects of good project management. Nonsystemic techniques for risk evaluation and management are already widely applied and well understood, but the use of systems approaches in this context is less widespread. it can be argued, however, that by using systems approaches it is possible to identify potential risks which would not otherwise be predicted. In addition, the application of systems thinking at the end of a project can enable lessons from outcomes to be used to improve performance on future projects. Examples of the use of systems methods and techniques in the project management context are given in the paper, together with illustrations of how such analyses can be used in the identification of risks.