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2.9.6: Surfacing Risks and Assumptions Early

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    Surfacing Risks and Assumptions Early

    A C-Bay Planning Guide for Milestone 1

    Introduction

    Responsible planning starts with awareness of uncertainty. Risks and assumptions must be identified early in the UCMS Project Charter to set expectations, avoid blind spots, and guide decisions.

    Definitions

    • Risk – A potential event or condition that may negatively impact scope, schedule, cost, quality, or engagement. It is uncertain, undesirable, and requires anticipation.
    • Assumption – A statement treated as true for planning purposes but unverified, carrying potential impact if proven false.

    Why They Belong in the Charter

    • Adjusts stakeholder expectations
    • Protects against unrealistic optimism
    • Creates a more defensible roadmap
    • Establishes early warning signals

    C-Bay Criteria for Inclusion

    Include an item if it:

    1. Could delay, block, or alter planning (risk)
    2. Is assumed true but not confirmed (assumption)
    3. Might surprise stakeholders later
    4. Requires follow-up or mitigation

    Professional Writing Guidelines

    Risk Statement – State the event, its impact, and whether it’s controllable.
    Example: “Delays in faculty interviews may impact milestone completion.”

    Assumption Statement – State the unverified belief driving the plan.
    Example: “UCMS stakeholders will be available for interviews in Weeks 1–2.”

    Organization in the Charter

    Use short lists or a table. Include 2–3 risks and 2–3 assumptions for Milestone 1.

    Common Mistakes

    • One-word entries (“budget”)
    • Listing confirmed facts as assumptions
    • Using emotional or vague language
    • Copying generic examples

    Real-World Application

    • Reviewed in steering committees
    • Used in risk mitigation
    • Tracked in dashboards
    • Referenced in scope negotiations

    This page titled 2.9.6: Surfacing Risks and Assumptions Early was last modified on Wed, 02 Sep 2026 04:01:20 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sukhjit "Bob" Singh.