Expert Interviews

Expert Interviews in Risk Identification: A Complete Guide

Why Expert Interviews Are Important in Risk Management

Expert interviews serve as a cornerstone technique in risk identification because they tap into specialized knowledge and experience that might not be available within the project team. These interviews allow project managers to access insights from individuals with specific domain expertise, historical knowledge, or technical skills relevant to the project.

The importance of expert interviews in risk management can't be overstated because:

• They provide access to tacit knowledge that isn't documented elsewhere
• They offer historical perspectives on similar projects and their risks
• They help identify risks that may be overlooked by less experienced team members
• They add credibility to the risk register through expert validation
• They can reveal complex risk interactions that might not be apparent to others

What Are Expert Interviews?

Expert interviews are structured or semi-structured conversations with subject matter experts (SMEs) designed to elicit information about potential project risks. In the context of PMI-RMP, these interviews are formal risk identification techniques where project managers or risk specialists systematically question experts to uncover, analyze, and document potential risks.

Types of experts typically interviewed include:

• Technical specialists in relevant domains
• Experienced project managers who have led similar projects
• Stakeholders with specialized knowledge
• Industry analysts and consultants
• Regulatory compliance specialists
• Operational staff with hands-on experience

How Expert Interviews Work

1. Preparation Phase:

• Identify relevant experts based on the project needs and risk categories
• Develop structured interview questions that target specific risk areas
• Schedule appropriate time with experts, respecting their availability
• Send pre-interview materials to help experts prepare
• Review existing project documentation to inform questions

2. Conducting the Interview:

• Begin with open-ended questions about general risk areas
• Progress to more specific questions about particular concerns
• Use prompting techniques to encourage detailed responses
• Document all identified risks, including context and background
• Ask for risk prioritization based on the expert's judgment
• Explore potential risk responses or mitigation strategies

3. Post-Interview Analysis:

• Review and organize the gathered information
• Validate findings with other sources when possible
• Add identified risks to the risk register with appropriate attribution
• Follow up with experts for clarification as needed
• Consider conducting additional interviews if knowledge gaps remain

Expert Interview Techniques and Best Practices

• One-on-One Interviews: Provide depth and confidentiality, allowing experts to speak freely

• Group Expert Interviews: Enable interactive discussions but require skilled facilitation to prevent domination by stronger personalities

• Delphi Technique: A specialized form where experts provide anonymous feedback in rounds, reducing bias and groupthink

• Appreciative Inquiry: Focuses on positive experiences and success factors that can help avoid risks

• Critical Incident Technique: Examines past incidents to identify risk patterns

Common Challenges in Expert Interviews

• Expert availability can be limited due to their busy schedules
• Some experts may be reluctant to share negative information or admit uncertainties
• Different experts may provide conflicting opinions
• Technical experts may use jargon that is difficult for the project team to understand
• The interviewer's lack of domain knowledge might limit the effectiveness of questioning

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Expert Interviews

1. Understand the Context: PMI-RMP exam questions often present a scenario and ask how expert interviews should be applied. Pay attention to the specific project context to determine the most appropriate approach.

2. Know the Differences: Be clear about how expert interviews differ from other risk identification techniques like brainstorming or SWOT analysis. Expert interviews focus on individual specialized knowledge rather than group consensus.

3. Recognize Limitations: Questions may test your understanding of when expert interviews are not the best choice. For example, when broad team engagement is more important than depth of expertise.

4. Sequential Application: Understand that expert interviews often work best in sequence with other techniques—perhaps following brainstorming sessions to add depth to identified risks.

5. Documentation Focus: The PMI-RMP emphasizes proper documentation. Remember that expert interview outcomes must be properly recorded in the risk register with source attribution.

6. Ethical Considerations: Be aware of potential ethical issues like confidentiality, bias, or conflicts of interest when using expert opinions.

7. Scenario Analysis: Practice applying expert interview techniques to different project scenarios to prepare for application-based questions.

8. Remember the Process: Questions may test your knowledge of the proper sequence: preparation, conducting, and post-interview analysis.

When answering exam questions about expert interviews, always consider the strategic purpose of conducting these interviews within the larger risk management framework. Remember that according to PMI, expert interviews are primarily a risk identification technique, though they can provide input for risk analysis and response planning as well.

Finally, be prepared to differentiate between effective and ineffective interview techniques in scenario-based questions. The PMI-RMP exam often tests your ability to identify the most appropriate approach for a given situation rather than simply recalling definitions.