PMI Global Recap Series - Empowering Risk Leadership

As part of my PMI Global Recap Series, I attended the insightful session "Empowering Risk Leadership: A Proactive Approach to Data-Driven Decision-Making" presented by Sue Kershaw and Rebecca Dobner. The session focused on how proactive risk leadership, supported by data-driven decision-making, can drive better project outcomes.

One of the key takeaways was the emphasis on risk-based thinking and the importance of 360-degree pulse checks at each phase of the project lifecycle. This reminded me of how I use 360-degree feedback for managers to build trust and open the floor for discussions around risk and solutions.

360-Degree Pulse Checks and Feedback: Building Trust

In both risk leadership and people management, trust is at the heart of effective communication. Just as 360-degree feedback for managers fosters a culture where team members feel safe to share honest insights, 360-degree pulse checks provide a comprehensive view of the project’s risk environment. This open feedback loop allows all stakeholders—whether project team members or managers—to voice their concerns, ideas, and observations, fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.

By encouraging people to speak up, we not only build trust but also uncover risks and innovative solutions early, long before they escalate. This proactive approach to both leadership and risk management enables us to explore opportunities for improvement, rather than merely reacting to problems.

Gathering and Analyzing Data: Turning Insights into Action

Sue and Rebecca also stressed the importance of data-driven insights for effective risk leadership. However, gathering better data isn’t enough—it's about how we analyze that data and turn it into actionable strategies. Just like how 360-degree feedback provides a well-rounded perspective on leadership effectiveness, data from pulse checks offers a full view of risks across various project dimensions, from people to processes to technology.

To truly empower risk leadership, we need to focus on:

1. Collecting meaningful data: Ensuring that we gather comprehensive and relevant data from all corners of the project.
2. Analyzing data effectively: Using advanced tools and techniques, including AI-driven analytics, to identify patterns and insights.
3. Turning data into action: Using these insights to drive decisions that mitigate risks, optimize processes, and ultimately lead to better outcomes.

The Key Takeaways: Fostering Open Communication and Data-Driven Risk Leadership

By combining the concepts of 360-degree pulse checks and 360-degree feedback, we can build an environment of trust, where risks are openly discussed, and solutions are collaboratively explored. Risk leadership is not just about identifying problems—it’s about engaging the entire team in data-backed conversations that lead to smarter decision-making.

In today’s fast-paced project environments, the ability to gather the right data, analyze it, and take timely action is critical. By focusing on people, processes, and technology, and embracing both feedback and data, we can foster proactive leadership that drives projects to success.