IS Project Management and Risk Escalation: Towards A Dynamic Model

Abstract

Review This paper seeks to advance project risk analysis beyond what it terms a static risk factor analysis into a process that deals with risks that emerge as the project progresses. The authors analyse the escalation literature and a case study of a system implementation and provide a model of how they believe risk escalation occurs. While I found the concept of the paper interesting, it ultimately disappoints. The main issue with this paper is that it confounds the concept of risk factors and issues, which causes its analysis to be skewed, and compromises its contribution. In terms of the model, it is based on an outdated typology of project risk and some of the logic involved is questionable.