MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects

Year of entry: 2025

Course unit details:
Risk Management

Course unit fact file
Unit code MGDI71432
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Nowadays, business environment is becoming complex and highly uncertain, both public and non-public organizations face an increasing challenges to undertake their activities. All investments, and most services, must undergo a risk assessment before they can be approved and implemented. Students in fields such as project management and finance need to understand the processes of risk management since most organisations and funding agencies demand a risk assessment before a project or investment is sanctioned. As part of corporate governance, most corporate entities are required to ensure risk assessments have been carried out and audited prior to sanction.

Aims

This course is designed to develop a systemic understanding of risk analysis and management processes at corporate/organizational, strategic business unit and project levels. The development of this understanding includes analysis of risks involved in projects and other types of investment, in particular, the impacts of those risks and the management of such risks.

Syllabus

The topics below indicate the content and organization of the learning process.

Topics

1: Introduction to the concept of risk uncertainty and sources of risk

2: Evolution of Risk Management and the Risk Management Process

3: Risk management process: Qualitative techniques

4. Risk management process: Quantitative techniques

5: Risk Management at Corporate and SBU Levels

6: Risk Management at Project Level

7: Risk management of portfolios of investments and modelling

8: Climate risk: a case study

10: Revision

Teaching and learning methods

During the first week of the semester, the course unit convenor will introduce students to the module.

Teaching and Learning resources will be circulated to students via Blackboard.

The delivery of the course unit includes 9 sessions of lecturing and revision; tutorials ad workshops and presentation of assignments.

Knowledge and understanding

- Describe and discuss key concepts in projects and other types of investment, including risk, uncertainty, risk source and risk management

- Understand how to undertake a risk management assessment

- Be able to assess and manage risks at different levels of an organisation

Intellectual skills

- Differentiate and appreciate different types of risk analysis (qualitative and quantitative)

 

Practical skills

- Understand the importance and operation of the tools and techniques used in risk analysis

- Understand the role of the risk manager at each level of the organisation

 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

- Ability to use a structure and process for performing risk assessment and managing its application in a range of contexts

- Skills in presenting a risk assessment orally.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 50%
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%
  • Final exam (2 hours)
  • Individual Essay (1,000 words)

Feedback methods

Feedback is provided for assignments via Blackboard. You will receive written feedback on your workshop assignment (group presentation), together with your mark, after the workshop.

Recommended reading

Required Reading:

Merna, T.  Al-Thani, F.F., (2008) Corporate Risk Management, (2nd Edition) Wiley, London

Suggested Reading:

Dionne, G., (2019). Corporate risk management: Theories and applications, Wiley Hoboken, New Jersey.

Hopkin, P., (2018). Fundamentals of risk management: understanding, evaluating and implementing effective risk management. Kogan Page Publishers.

 Merna, T. (2010) Corporate Risk Management, (Faisal Al-Thani) (KINDLE)

Peter Simon, (ed.) (1997) PRAM: project risk analysis and management guide Norwich: APM Group Ltd.

Any other Risk Management related books and published articles

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 18
Tutorials 6
Work based learning 8
Independent study hours
Independent study 118

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Dereje Regasa Unit coordinator

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