Organizational Process Assets (OPAs)

Organizational Process Assets (OPAs) in Project Risk Management

What are Organizational Process Assets (OPAs)?

Organizational Process Assets are the plans, processes, policies, procedures, and knowledge bases that organizations use to execute projects. They include formal and informal plans, policies, procedures, guidelines, information systems, financial systems, management systems, lessons learned, and historical information from previous projects.

Why are OPAs Important in Risk Management?

OPAs are crucial in risk management because they:

- Provide historical information about risks from past projects
- Offer established risk management approaches that have proven effective
- Include templates and checklists for risk identification and assessment
- Document organizational risk tolerances and thresholds
- Capture lessons learned that help prevent repeating past mistakes
- Establish standardized procedures for risk management

Types of Organizational Process Assets

1. Processes and Procedures:
- Risk management plans from previous projects
- Risk breakdown structures
- Risk register templates
- Standard operating procedures for risk response
- Change control procedures
- Communication protocols for risk events

2. Corporate Knowledge Base:
- Risk databases
- Historical information on past projects
- Lessons learned repositories
- Issue logs from completed projects
- Project closure documentation with risk analysis
- Configuration management knowledge base

How OPAs Work in Risk Management

OPAs function as both inputs and outputs in the risk management process:

As Inputs:
- Provide templates and formats for risk management documentation
- Offer historical risk information for comparison
- Supply organizational risk thresholds to guide decision-making
- Provide established categories of risks

As Outputs:
- Updated risk registers become part of organizational knowledge
- Lessons learned from current risk management add to the knowledge base
- Improved risk management practices become standard for future projects

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Organizational Process Assets (OPAs)

1. Recognize OPA Examples:
Be able to identify what constitutes an OPA versus other project management elements like Enterprise Environmental Factors (EEFs) or project documents.

2. Understand OPA Categories:
Know the distinction between processes/procedures and the corporate knowledge base components.

3. Connect OPAs to Risk Processes:
Understand how OPAs apply to specific risk management processes:
- Planning Risk Management: Using risk management plan templates
- Identifying Risks: Applying checklists from past projects
- Performing Qualitative Analysis: Using probability and impact matrices
- Performing Quantitative Analysis: Using historical data for simulations
- Planning Risk Responses: Drawing on successful strategies from past projects
- Monitoring Risks: Using standard reporting templates

4. Apply Historical Context:
When presented with a scenario, look for opportunities to apply lessons learned or historical information to current risk decisions.

5. Focus on Organizational Standards:
Remember that OPAs represent standardized organizational approaches, so the correct answer often involves following established procedures rather than creating new ones.

6. Identify Improvement Opportunities:
Recognize that current projects can enhance OPAs through lessons learned and process improvements.

7. Distinguish from EEFs:
EEFs are external factors the organization has limited control over, while OPAs are internal and can be updated by the organization.

8. Remember Documentation Role:
OPAs often serve as documentation sources or templates—questions may ask about the appropriate documentation for a risk scenario.

Example Question Analysis

Question: "A project manager is starting a new project similar to one completed last year. What would be the most valuable source of risk information?"
Analysis: This question is asking about utilizing OPAs. The correct answer would likely involve reviewing the risk register, lessons learned, or historical information from the previous similar project—all examples of OPAs in the corporate knowledge base category.

Summary

Organizational Process Assets are valuable tools in risk management, providing historical context, standardized processes, and organizational knowledge. When preparing for exams, focus on understanding how OPAs support risk management processes and how they differ from other project elements. Remember that OPAs represent the collective wisdom and standardized approaches of the organization, making them essential references for effective risk management.