Environmental Risk Assessment

5 minutes 5 Questions

Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) is a systematic process for evaluating the potential adverse environmental effects arising from a project. It includes identifying, evaluating, and mitigating environmental risks. It often considers risks related to air, water, soil pollution, and biodiversity lo…

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.

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PMP - Environmental Risk Assessment Example Questions

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Question 1

During an environmental risk assessment for a manufacturing facility project, you identify that the proposed plant location is subject to frequent flooding. According to the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, what is the most appropriate initial action to address this environmental risk?

Begin designing flood protection measures for the site. Conduct a qualitative risk analysis to assess the impact and likelihood of flooding. Accept the risk since flooding cannot be prevented. Propose to change the project scope to include relocating the plant to a different, safer location away from flood zones.

Correct Answer: Conduct a qualitative risk analysis to assess the impact and likelihood of flooding.

According to the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, the first step after identifying a risk is to perform a qualitative risk analysis to assess its probability and impact. This helps in prioritizing the risk and determining the appropriate response strategies. Initiating design measures or proposing changes to the project scope without assessing the risk may be premature. Accepting the risk without analysis does not provide an understanding of its potential consequences.

Question 2

You are managing a project that involves the development of a highway through a densely forested area. An Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) has identified a significant risk because the project could endanger a species of bird native to the forest. How should you handle this risk?

Ignore the risk as the bird species has little economic value Bioengineer a relocation plan for the bird species after the project is completed Arrange a PR campaign to boost company image despite the risk Consider project alternatives that could avoid or mitigate the risk

Correct Answer: Consider project alternatives that could avoid or mitigate the risk

The best approach to handling this environmental risk in a project management context would be to 'Consider project alternatives that could avoid or mitigate the risk'. This is in line with the principles of ethical and responsible project management, which advocate for minimizing harm to the environment and biodiversity. Exploring alternatives could encompass changes to the route of the highway, the methods used during construction, or the scheduling of work to avoid breeding seasons, among other strategies. Regarding the other options, 'Ignoring the risk as the bird species has little economic value', is inappropriate and ethically wrong as project management should respect and care for all elements of biodiversity, not just those with economic value. 'Bioengineer a relocation plan for the bird species after the project is completed', is not viable as it would be difficult to implement, expensive and could cause further harm to the bird species. 'Arranging a PR campaign to boost company image despite the risk', does not address the risk, instead, it suggests using manipulation to sway public opinion while ignoring the underlying issue.

Question 3

An Environmental impact analysis reveals that your project could potentially lead to an increase in local air pollution levels. What is the best approach to manage this environmental risk following the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition?

Bribe the local officials to not cause problems Explore methods to reduce the emissions and mitigation strategies Try to shift the blame to another project or organization Ignore the risk and treat it as a necessary project cost

Correct Answer: Explore methods to reduce the emissions and mitigation strategies

The best approach, according to the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition, is to explore methods to reduce the emissions and implement mitigation strategies. This stands out as the correct answer because it aligns with the PMBOK guidelines that stipulate considering all possible impacts and risks before starting a project. Moreover, it accounts for proper environmental risk management proceduresMoving to the other choices, ignoring the risk and treating it as a necessary project cost harms the environment, conflicts with best practices in project management, and fails to prioritize sustainability. Trying to shift the blame to another project or organization is not ethical and won't solve the problem. It's an avoidance approach that would likely lead to bigger issues in the future. Lastly, bribing local officials is illegal and unethical, further highlighting how this does not align either with professional business behavior or PMBOK guidelines.

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