A Comprehensive Guide to Environmental Risk Assessment

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) is a crucial part of project management and Environmental Management.

Importance: The importance of an ERA cannot be overstated. It helps identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential environmental risks on a project. By analyzing possible environmental hazards, it aids in optimizing resources, preventing environmental damage, improving safety, and complying with regulatory requirements.

What it is: ERA is a systematic process used to evaluate the potential adverse effects that human activities can have on the environment. It considers the likelihood of a hazard occurring and the potential impact if it does.

How it works: The ERA process generally involves problem identification, exposure assessment, effect assessment, and risk characterization. From defining the scope of the assessment, to predicting and characterizing the risks, each phase sequentially builds towards a comprehensive environmental risk profile.

Exam Tips: Understanding ERA is essential for PMBOK exams. When answering related questions, remember to maintain consideration for each phase of the ERA, and understand the associated terminologies. Use past papers and practice questions to familiarize yourself with the type of questions you may get. Additionally, reading the PMBOK guide thoroughly is recommended to excel in ERA related questions.
Note: As you study, focus on understanding the concept rather than memorizing facts. This will be helpful for situational questions that test your practical application of knowledge.