Managing risks and eliminating uncertainty requires all the skill of the project manager. He must establish the possible risks and put in place actions that will allow better control during the implementation of the project. Actions can be summed up by decision-making.

Eliminate uncertainty to better manage risks

The process of identifying uncertainties goes directly hand in hand with risk management. Thus, even if the uncertainty associated with project management is inevitable, the work of the project manager will make it possible to validate and clarify certain hypotheses and to keep in mind the objectives to be achieved.

Uncertainties are also inseparable from risk analysis. Indeed, some cannot be resolved entirely since decision-making activates the probability of new unpredictable situations. Let's take the example of choosing a solution that we think is ideal for our situation. This choice eliminates the uncertainty associated with the duty to make a decision, but activates doubt and questions about whether the decision is really the right one. If doubts persist, then new decisions and actions need to be taken.

Combined with risk management, eliminating uncertainty makes it possible to move the project forward while showing foresight. The project then becomes clearer and simpler for the various teams involved.

Uncertainties are everywhere

Uncertainties are found in all facets of the project. Let's take the production process as an example. During this stage, you need to ask yourself various questions: how will we proceed: in agile or by iteration? Do we have to plan several phases? What kind of proof of concept are we going to do? How do I approve the various deliverables? How are we going to proceed with the supplies? Are we going to call on external partners? These sample questions form the arsenal of the project manager and his collaborators. They need to be answered quickly and accurately to facilitate the success of the project.

Let's use an analogy. To travel from Montreal to Quebec City, you must first define the choice of vehicle. Then, you have to decide on the itinerary (go through the South Shore or the North Shore, through the Old Quebec Bridge or through the Pierre-Laporte Bridge), etc. This simplified example allows us to better understand that without making the initial decisions, the project remains on hold.

In a project management context, each situation is different and more complex. Although, in the car, the means of risk management are fairly standardized, they vary from case to case in project management.

Wouldn't the biggest risk be not making a decision?

The right project manager will therefore work to speed up the decision-making process in addition to making plans to reduce uncertainty. By not working this way, the project manager may have to manage unexpected events without preparation.

Not making a decision is not a security or an option. By moving forward with a chosen solution, the next steps in a project are easier to visualize and define. It is therefore more obvious to make the next decisions and to reduce uncertainty.

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