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Risk management in information technology projects

  • Authors: Antony, Tessy
  • Date: 2012-08-01
  • Subjects: Risk management , Risk management - Data processing , Project management , Information technology - Management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8902 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5374
  • Description: M.Ing. , Information Technology (IT) projects are typically accompanied by a wide variety of complex risks. The rapid rate at which technology is currently changing requires the use of updated processes for project risk management in the IT industry. This paper investigates the active management of risk by focusing on the causes of such risk and developing indicators to track project risk throughout all project phases. The current research focuses on Project Risk Management as described in the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK®) Fourth Edition, detailing the tools and techniques needed to make risk management work in IT projects. This Project Management Institute (PMI) Standard has been adopted for the current research as it is widely accepted by many organisations in order to ensure greater return on investment and other benefits from projects. The PMI’s PMBoK® details an approach to project risk management which includes the process concerned with identifying, analysing, prioritising and mitigating risk at regular intervals. Specifically, it focuses on budget-related risks in order to reduce IT project failure due to budget overruns. Risk measurement and risk control are also incorporated to achieve a sustainable risk management system for IT projects. Finally, a private sector IT project is used as case study in order to apply the research in practice. This case study makes use of Accenture's maturity model concept, which helps us to understand this organisation’s benchmarking in recent years.
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A formal approach to the optimisation of information technology risk management

The use of cell captives to manage financial risks

  • Authors: Bakker, Daniel
  • Date: 2010-11-22T07:55:04Z
  • Subjects: Risk management , Finance
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7007 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3515
  • Description: M.Comm. , Every modern-day company is faced with challenges on a daily basis to improve its performance. This challenge stretches further than the financial target that is received from the shareholders every year and boils right down to the day to day operations of a company. How does the company perform according to the market, does the company have a uniqueness that will allow for a competitive advantage, how can costs be reduced in order to create value in terms of shareholders and how to stay the blueprint company with its competitors seen as followers. The objective of this study is to determine the effect that financial risk management in terms of a cell captive insurance facility has on a company, especially the financial side and ultimately to provide a framework on the implementation of a cell captive insurance facility. A cell captive insurance facility stems from the self insurance principle and is tailored to a unique product offered by various insurance companies. It enables a company to insure its frequent losses at a lower premium than the insurance market and all surpluses resulting from the Captive can be regarded as profit to the owner of the captive or used to lower the following year's contribution. In order to obtain a Cell Captive's insurance facility, a company must purchase shares in an insurance company, known as a sponsor, and hereby receive certain insurance amenities. The captive that is now formed enables a company to insure all business related activities against possible risks with a further extension of the definition 'business related activities'. Due to the unlikely event to completely self insure, with regards to the cost implication and bearing the size of the captive in mind to cover all possible financial losses, an underwritten agreement between the cell captive owner and the sponsor insurance company should cater for all catastrophic risks which protects the captive from collapsing, due to a massive loss. With the creation of a cell captive insurance facility, the owner of the captive can extend on all its business related activities and offer insurance products to its employees and clients, with a reasonably reduce rate compared to the insurance market. The success of theses products can be so-good that the financial impact on the captive proofs the products to be self-reliant and even generates an income for the cell captive insurance facility. As a result of the objective to implement effective risk management via a cell captive insurance facility and to create profit by doing so, the results of the Vodacom Group was used in order to emphasize the successfulness of a cell captive insurance facility. Vodacom Group saved or rather refer to the term as "created" a net underwriting profit that amounts to R 3,385,275 in the first three months by using its Cell Captive Insurance Facility. Thats more than enough to prove the financial gain, but the company also benefited from the fact that it now has the ability to educate its managers and their management styles. The captive can no act as the focal point of the Group's risk management effort, by focusing the minds of senior management on the causes of claims and means to combat that.
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An integrated approach to disaster risk management

  • Authors: Baloyi, Vukosi Thomas
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Disasters - Risk assessment , Emergency management , Risk management , Hazard mitigation
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/293845 , uj:31960
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Abstract: Even in developed countries, natural hazards triggers major disasters. It gets worse in developing countries, where natural hazards building codes and standards are not integrated from planning phases when constructing structures. With sustainable development under threat from the impact of disasters, urgent need to strengthen capacity for the realization and management of community and constructed structural resilience is critical. With the World facing disaster challenge, this research seeks to research, identify, and recommend an implementable Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Best Practice (DRMBP) with the objective to substantially reduce disaster risk. The endless occurrences of natural disasters throughout the World motivate the significant shift from disaster management to DRM. DRM aims to substantially minimize the loss of human lives and economy by mitigating potential damages from disasters. While disasters are inevitable; through preparedness and mitigation measures, their rising devastating impact can be reduced. Promotion and support of science and technology-based methodologies to bridge technology gap in order to build effective DRM processes that can substantially reduce the loss of lives and economy is necessary. Currently, it is of concern that disaster losses are on the rise while science and engineering inspired systems, devices, and processes designed for mitigation impact from disasters are operational. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) (SFDRR) emphasize the four Priorities for Actions to reducing the losses and damages and ensure the building of resilience. To realize these, SFDRR recommend amongst many parameters technological measures for intervention in order to increase preparedness level (including early warning systems and evacuation plans) and prevention of new and existing disaster risk. The disruptive technologies of Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), is encouraging innovation in different sectors. This Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution has completely reinvented, transformed, and addressed most challenges faced in the World. Considered a technology breakthrough as regarded as an industrial revolution; IoT enables the transformation of an ordinary device to a smart Thing. While ordinary device remains working in silos and depend on human interaction, IoT infrastructure establish an interoperability environment where smart Things communicate and constitute real-time decision analytics...
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A corporate governance framework for Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)

  • Authors: Barclay, Darion Jerome
  • Date: 2012-07-19
  • Subjects: Corporate governance , Sector Education and Training Authorities , Risk management , Compliance auditing , Occupational training
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8842 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5254
  • Description: D.Litt et Phil. , The establishment of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) was seen as a way of addressing the continued shortage of skilled professionals in order to ensure a competitive South African economy in the global environment. The SETAs attracted much media attention as a result of poor service delivery primarily attributed to poor corporate governance. Despite the many positive contributions by SETAs, they remain the most criticized entities in post-democratic South Africa. The study entails a description, explanation and assessment of the concepts corporate governance, risk management and compliance in SETAs. The legislative framework that underpins good corporate governance is identified and explained. The roles of the board and its fiduciary duties, and of the audit committee and the roles of executive management are described in order to ensure a clear understanding of each of them and a separation of each from the others. The concepts corporate governance, risk management and compliance are inseparable from the well-being of any organization. The board of an entity is ultimately accountable for the implementation of good corporate governance. Its role can be of value only if it is properly constituted, is functioning effectively and if its role is understood by all parties concerned. The manifestations of poor corporate governance include poor financial management, non-compliance with policies and procedures, lack of capacity building and the lack of a formalized nomination system to identify suitably qualified and experienced board members. By exercising corporate governance in an accountable and transparent manner, the most appropriate developmental policy objectives to sustainably develop a society by mobilizing and applying all available resources in the public and private sectors in the most efficient, efficient and democratic way will be achieved.
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An integrated systems approach to risk management within a technology-driven industry, using the design structure matrix and fuzzy logic

  • Authors: Barkhuizen, W.F. , Pretorius, J.H.C. , Pretorius, L.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Fuzzy logic thinking , Risk management
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:4661 , ISSN 2224-7890 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10034
  • Description: Risk interactions exist within a system and its sub-systems, between functional and physical elements in various dimensions such as spatial interaction, information exchange, material transfer, and energy exchange. These interactions are of a multi-dimensional complexity, and thus are not sufficiently interpreted using conventional management tools. Alternative system representation and analysis techniques are proposed – in particular the design structure matrix (DSM) and fuzzy logic thinking – to quantify the risk management effort necessary to deal with uncertain and imprecise interactions. A cement grinding plant case study is used to elaborate on the risk management methodology
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An integrated systems approach to risk management within a technology driven industry using the design structure matrix and fuzzy logic

  • Authors: Barkhuizen, Willem Frederik
  • Date: 2012-08-01
  • Subjects: Value analysis (Cost control) , Risk management , Artificial intelligence , Fuzzy logic
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:8904 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5376
  • Description: D.Ing. , “Innovation is the act of introducing something new” (Byrd & Brown, 2003). When companies are competing on the technology “playground” they need to be innovative. By analysis according to Byrd & Brown (Byrd & Brown, 2003) the “act of introducing”, relates to risk taking, and the “new” relates to creativity, and therefore these concepts, creativity and risk taking, in combination, are what innovation is all about. Risk management has become one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, and one of the main components in innovation and the technology driven industry, intensifying the need for a systematic approach to managing uncertainties. During the development and design of complex engineering products, the input and teamwork of multiple participants from various backgrounds are required resulting in complex interactions. Risk interactions exist between the functional and physical elements within such a system and its sub-systems in various dimensions such as spatial interaction, information interaction etc. The relationships are of a multi-dimensional complexity that cannot be simplified using the standard task management tools (Yassine A. A., 2004). To find a meaningful starting point for the seemingly boundless subject of risk management the research takes a step back into the basic definition of risk management and follows an exploratory research methodology to explore each of the risk management processes (risk assessment, risk identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, risk treatment and risk monitoring and review) and how these processes can be enhanced using the design structure matrix (DSM) and fuzzy logic thinking. The approach to risk management within an organisation should be seen as a holistic approach similar to the total quality management process, providing the ii opportunity to incorporated risk management during the design process as a concurrent task. The risk management model is then developed concurrently (during the design phase) using product development methodologies such as conceptual modeling and prototyping, and ultimately the prototype is tested using a case study. Finally resulting in a clustered DSM providing a visual representation of the system risk areas similar to the methodology used in Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The research combines alternative system representation and analysis techniques (Warfield, 2005), in particular the design structure matrix, and fuzzy logic to quantify the risk management effort neccessary to deal with uncertain and imprecise interactions between system elements.
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An assessment of Peoples Bank Business' service to SMME's sponsored by the Khula Indemnity Scheme

  • Authors: Bredenkamp, Monique
  • Date: 2012-01-16
  • Subjects: Small business , Small business finance , Banks and banking , Risk management , Commercial credit
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:1910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4271
  • Description: M.Comm. , South Africa's Minister of Trade and Industry, Alec Irwin, stated that "one of the most striking features of the South African economy is the underdevelopment of small and medium enterprises" (Polkinghorne, 2001). A lack of sufficient capital and credit is often a major handicap to the development of SMMEs, particularly in their early growth stages. The growth and development .ofthe small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sector is acknowledged by most interest groups and policy-makers as being of critical importance to South Africa's ability to address the serious problems of unemployment. The South African government suggests that the SMME sector -with the help of government support -is capable of fulfilling these obj ectives and has introduced a number of supply-side measures to promote the formerly neglected sector. The overall objective is "to create an enabling environment" and "to level the playing field" (South Africa, 1995) in terms of national, regional and local policy frameworks for SMME development. Khula Enterprise Finance Ltd. was established in 1996 in terms of a Department of Trade and Industry (DT!) initiative and provides access to credit to SMMEs through various delivery mechanisms. One of these delivery mechanisms is a scheme that was created to assist SMMEs to access finance from traditional financial intermediaries by providing guarantees on a risksharing basis. Khula Enterprise Finance Ltd. has assisted in delivering almost 103 000 loans, credit guarantees and other facilities to SMMEs since the agency started operating in 1996. The total value of the loans and guarantees exceeds R550 million (Martins, 2001). ii However, Khula Enterprise Finance Ltd. has to contend with intermediaries applying its programmes -banks that are not renowned for their spirit of adventure, and welfare-oriented service organisations that lack business acumen (Khula: Some business ... , 2002: 53). The perception among the general population in South Africa is that most banks have neither the capacity nor the will to actively and creatively manage SMME loans to South Africa's emerging markets -"emerging" meaning political customers who have not been seen as critical in the past, but who are seen as such in the future. In South Africa these are largely people of black African descent (Polkinghorne, 2001). The target of Peoples Bank Business includes previously disadvantaged communities such as black persons, women and the disabled. Additionally, clients are assisted with venture capital or loans to fund start-up businesses. Emphasis is placed on assistance to the community in addition to traditional criteria such as bottom-line results. This study attempted to assess the service provided by Peoples Bank Business to clients sponsored by the Khula Indemnity Scheme. This study did not attempt to provide solutions to problems experienced, but rather to identify the deficiencies/gaps in service as experienced by clients of Peoples Bank Business.
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A proposed sector wide risk model based on enterprise wide risk management

  • Authors: Buhr, Richard Otto
  • Date: 2012-06-04
  • Subjects: Risk management , Risk assessment , Crisis management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2331 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4789
  • Description: D.Ing. , For executive management to guide an enterprise, strategic planning is essential. Using Enterprise Wide Risk Management (EWRM) as an input to Scenario Analysis (SA) for Strategic Planning (SP) allows for improved accuracy over conventional methods. This would allow for greater realism from the executive management perspective of possible outcomes in scenario modelling by providing a solid quantitative base founded on real operational information. Emerging regulatory legislation for corporates also require quantitative risk management in the enterprise for reporting and rating purposes, providing a wealth of information for scenario modelling purposes. From the outset this research focuses on the industrial sectors in South Africa, though the model could be applied to any industry sector internationally. The core of any industrial enterprise is made up of the Operational Support Systems (OSS) that provide the hardware and software infrastructure to operate the business. The smooth operation and efficient handling of any unforeseen events in the OSS impacts the very survival of the en- terprise in a highly competitive environment. The development of an OSS risk management (RM) strategy to provide an efficient and effective way to recognise, classify and mitigate the risks involved in OSS is thus crucial to any enterprise that seeks to remain competitive. To implement this RM strategy and provide information regarding likely loss events, a quantitative risk model is required to simulate different scenarios. This research investigates the development of a Sector Wide Risk Model (SWRM) to simulate stress events in an industry sector and their impact on sector members.
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Supply chain performance and customer service in the mining explosives industry

  • Authors: Buthelezi, Thandeka Zamashenge
  • Date: 2018
  • Subjects: Business logistics , Risk management , Customer services , Explosives industry , Consumer satisfaction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Masters (Thesis)
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/292134 , uj:31742
  • Description: Abstract: In the mining industry that is plagued with increased competition and low profitability, gaining a competitive advantage is a mammoth task as the mining customers are faced with decreasing profit margins due to declining commodity prices and increases in critical cost drivers. Thus, there has been increased focus on more profitable production, which has meant an increased focus on a reliable supply of cost effective input materials such as explosives. Therefore, an explosives supplier should aim to offer a product and service which will optimise the mine’s costs. However, there is limited competitive advantage that can be derived from cost strategies (Naoui, 2014), thus many have opted to look for differentiation strategies through enhanced customer experience (Gonzalez, 2017). This research is aimed at investigating how the supply chain performance of an explosives supplier affects the quality of service rendered to mining customers. The study is also aimed at determining what supply chain risk mitigation strategies can be used to improve the performance of the supply chain and the customer service thereafter. The research hypothesis is that “Supply chain risk management leads to a positive customer service experience” The hypothesis was to be proved by showing the effective management of supply chain risk increased supply chain performance which leads to an improvement in customer service experience. The research was conducted using a single method qualitative approach, where the qualitative primary data was derived from interviews with personnel from four distinct groupings within the explosives supply chain, which consisted of production and supply chain personnel, sales representative and customers. The interviews were aimed at determining the critical customer service attributes that represented the various service quality elements that the customers deem important to their business performance. The reader will benefit from the research as it highlights the risks that are inherent in the supply chain and shows how these risks can be mitigated with the implementation of supply chain performance measures to drive improved customer service experience. It provides insights into how to ensure improved customer service in stringent, highly regulated, supply chains and ultimately achieve competitive advantage. , M.Com. (Business Management)
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A critical evaluation of uncertainty and expectations in fixed investment decisions

The application of holistic risk management in the banking industry

  • Authors: Chibayambuya, John
  • Date: 2008-05-12T13:21:21Z
  • Subjects: Bank management , Risk management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:7049 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/357
  • Description: The banking industry in South Africa is facing three main challenges, namely: continuous change, foreign competition, and increasing levels of risk. These problems flow mainly from cultural diversity, globalisation, and rapid technological development in systems and communication. Decreasing predictability stems to a great extent from a lack of foreknowledge of how globalisation will develop, and how it can influence the South African banking industry in general and holistic risk management (HRM) in particular. Management of the South African banking industry therefore need to rely on crucial intelligence and foreknowledge concerning events, trends and development of (HRM) that affect the profitability and future strategic viability of the whole South African banking industry. At the onset various concepts and processes were emphasised in this study, namely operational risk management, strategic risk management, the risk management culture in the banking industry, the role of risk management in the banking industry, the role of risk management process in the banking industry, corporate governance in the banking industry in South Africa. However, the main purpose of this study was to explore the need and the dynamics of managing risk in the banking industry in a holistic manner. To this end the development of, and trends in (HRM) as part of good corporate governance in the banking industry were researched and documented. The practical aspect of the study was firstly based on the definition and analysis of different categories of risk in the banking industry. The definition and analysis was done in order to cover a broader range of risks the banking industry is facing. Secondly the risk management culture in the banking industry was investigated. Thirdly the role of risk management in the banking industry was explored in detail. Fourthly the risk management process in the banking industry was investigated and explained. Fifthly the link between risk management and corporate governance was explored. Sixthly models developed by Kloman (2000), Lam (2003) and Regester and Larkin (2005) were used as a benchmark to develop a framework for the management of holistic risk in the banking industry. It was concluded that in view of the need in the South African banking industry for a structured means of managing risk holistically, and in view of HRM constituting such a process, there is relevance for the implementation of HRM in the four big banks of the South African banking industry. However, small and unlisted banks do not manage HRM as suggested by the HRM framework. In this regard a number of recommendations were made with respect to managing HRM proactively. A framework based on empirical research and earlier work by Kloman (2000), Lam (2003) and Regester and Larkin (2005) was furthermore suggested for the implementation of HRM in the South African banking industry in the belief that this framework, and the overall research reported in this study could be of theoretical as well as practical value for risk managers in the South African banking industry. , Dr. D. J. Theron (UJ) Dr. T. P. v/d Walt (ABSA)
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Public private partnerships - risk management in engineering infrastructure projects

  • Authors: Devan, D. V. G
  • Date: 2012-09-10
  • Subjects: Public-private sector cooperation , Project management , Engineering - Risk assessment , Risk management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:9832 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7236
  • Description: M.Phil. , Economic growth and the provision of adequate infrastructure are highly interrelated. Infrastructure- plays a critical role in promoting economic growth through enhancing productivity, improving competitiveness, reducing poverty, linking people and organisations together through telecommunications and contributing to environmental sustainability. Population growth and rapid urbanisation have placed enormous pressure on existing infrastructure, thus presenting a daunting challenge to governments worldwide The scope of global demographic, public health and safety needs, as well as economic development goals, translates into infrastructure requirements far in excess of currently available financing resources. While the degree of this funding backlog differs from country to country, it extends from the poorest to the richest of nations. This is true even in the United States, which enjoys the full benefits of decentralized government responsibility and an extensive domestic debt market. Recognition of this funding gap has resulted in a nearly universal acceptance that the private sector can and should play a larger role in the financing of infrastructure in partnership with the public sector [35]. The 1990s saw a revolution in the provision of infrastructure services as governments worldwide turned to the private sector for financing and management expertise. In developing countries in 1990 —2001, nearly 2,500 infrastructure projects involved private participation, attracting investment commitments of US750 billion [40]. South Africa has an estimated infrastructure backlog of R 170.7 billion [3]. In addition there is increasing demand for much-needed new and improved infrastructure such as water supply and sanitation systems, affordable housing and electricity supply, health care facilities, schools, roads, tourism infrastructure, airports and harbour facilities, to name but a few [4]. With the private sector organisations having a large pool of sources from which they can seek funding from both local and international financial markets and the government having fragmented expertise over different state departments, debilitating red tape and bureaucracy, more pressing needs for funding elsewhere and inability to roll out projects, private sector involvement in infrastructure provision has been widely considered and implemented as a preferred method of financing infrastructure provision. This collaboration between public and private sectors is crucial in order to increase the sources of funding available for infrastructure and reduce the pressure on fiscal budgets. This has resulted in an increased collaboration between the public and private sectors in order to meet a country's infrastructure requirements. Consequently, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) procurement method of undertaking large infrastructure projects
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Operational risk analysis for the management of railway infrastructure maintenance

  • Authors: Dhlamini, Phumzile
  • Date: 2012-06-04
  • Subjects: Railroad engineering , Railroads - Management , Risk management , Railroads - Maintenance and repair
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:2307 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4766
  • Description: M. Ing. , This dissertation proposes a methodology for the analysis of the operational risks that are caused by railway infrastructure component failure. The objective of this methodology is to assist the engineers that manage railway infrastructure maintenance to forecast the following: • the frequency of operational risk events that are caused by railway infrastructure failure; • the cost of rehabilitating railway infrastructure after an operational risk event that was caused by railway infrastructure failure; and • the impact that railway infrastructure maintenance strategies have on the frequency and cost of operational risk events that are caused by railway infrastructure failure. A brief literature study of operational risk analysis is presented. The proposed operational risk analysis methodology involves the identification of the operational risks that are caused by railway infrastructure failure and causal modelling using Bayesian network causal models. The proposed operational risk methodology is applied in a case study concerning a railway company (called African Railways Ltd as a pseudonym for the sake of confidentiality). The train derailments that are caused by infrastructure component failure in a particular region are analysed in the case study. The case study presents historical data and the results of a questionnaire that was used during face-to-face individual interviews with three track maintenance experts. The frequency of train derailments, the cost of rehabilitating railway infrastructure after train derailments and the impact of railway infrastructure maintenance on these two issues are forecasted. The case study concludes with a comparison of the forecasted and actual frequency of train derailments and cost of rehabilitating the railway infrastructure after a train derailment.
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Theoretical limits to risk management models : model risk

  • Authors: Dos Santos, Marco Paulo Ferreira
  • Date: 2015-10-07
  • Subjects: Risk management , Risk perception , Business planning
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:14260 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14712
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , This mini-dissertation provides an overview of enterprise risk management and its components, while focusing on risk analysis and risk models. Since all entities face uncertainty with respect to the aspects that they interact with, enterprise risk management aims to maximize value to stakeholders. One of the tools used in the risk assessment component of enterprise risk management is a quantitative assessment technique called risk modelling. Risk modelling allows various risks to be evaluated by observing their effects on simulation outputs. Decision making under uncertainty has become heavily reliant on risk models, resulting in more complex models being formulated and utilized. As such, the risks associated with the modelling of risks are becoming increasingly more pervasive in risk management and whose effects are just as severe (if not more so, due to their lack of awareness). A more in depth examination of model risk is performed and discussed in order to highlight its lack of awareness, extent and implications, and theoretical limits in risk modelling. Using this background information, the analysis of models used in literature for pricing in telecommunications wireless mesh networks is conducted in order to evaluate their model risks. This analysis shows that very few publications acknowledge the shortcomings of their models, let alone evaluate or discuss them in any way. Further, this analysis shows that some of the models and their assumptions produce pointless results. A simple investigation of the risks associated with their models would have produced results that are more conclusive and substantiatable, and with less flaws. Although the model risk analysis has been performed on models that simulate certain billing aspects of telecommunication wireless mesh networks, the model risk a alysiscan just as easily be performed on any other models or risk models. The aim of this mini-dissertation is to provide an overview of model risk and its impact, and also highlight the importance of including the management of model risk in the enterprise risk management process.
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Enterprise risk management as a business enabler

  • Authors: Du Plessis, Julian Lesley Nebreska
  • Date: 2012-06-05
  • Subjects: Enterprise risk management , Risk management , First National Bank of Southern Africa , Financial risk management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:2424 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4884
  • Description: M.Phil. , The premise of this research study was to study the phenomenon of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in order to understand the processes and practices of risk management within First National Bank (FNB). Risk management became a favourite topic for discussion in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Some analysts, chief financial officers and observers have noted that risk management is to blame for the economic recession and myriad of bank failures that ensue. However, the intention of this research study was not to analyse the GFC or to devote itself entirely to defend risk management and risk managers.
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The determination of the important risks in the management of a bank

  • Authors: Du Preez, Markus
  • Date: 2011-11-30
  • Subjects: Bank management , Risk management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:1762 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4116
  • Description: M.Comm. , The aim of this study was to take a closer look at the modem financial institutions of the world and to determine what adverse conditions these companies face. Banks are some of the strongest organisations in a country, and the banking sector is a major employer. Yet, the risks faced by banks are enormous, and without the prudent and responsible management of these risks banks can find themselves in severe trouble. Recent situations in the South African banking sector underpin this, as several of the small banks in the country went into judicial management or were put out of business because they failed to meet their liquidity requirements. Risk management in banking is one of the most important tasks in the institution. Regardless of the division or type of operation, banks face certain risks. In this study, the researcher looked at the risks described in the literature as the main risks found in the banking environment. Solvency, liquidity, credit, price and operating risks are the risks most commonly discussed in the literature on banking risks. Although the five main risks constitute a serious threat to a bank each in its own right, each risk can be subdivided based on the likelihood of the risk materialising. The researcher therefore subdivided each major risk into subrisks. The question was then posed: Are there any similarities between these risks? The researcher developed a model whereby risks are categorised according to the attributes they have in common. The study classified the risks into the categories of market, credit and other risks. The objective in classifYing known banking risks is to assist the risk management team in a bank to manage similar risks in a similar way. Instead of focussing on each major risk and its multitude of subcategories individually, it is easier to manag~ a set of risks according to their similarities. Furthermore, the researcher wanted to determine which all the banking risks discussed would be universal in the danger they hold to any banking operation or any division operating within a bank. The question was posed: What are the classical risks in banking that would without a doubt lead to bank failure ifleft unmanaged? Liquidity, solvency and credit risks were the risks identified as critical in any banking operation and the risks that history has shown to be most detrimental to the future viability of any bank. Finally, the study looked at the management of these three classical risks from the perspective of determining policy and strategy. The study drew form literature, personal observation and the input of risk and bank management professionals to highlight some ofthe most important elements in credit, solvency and liquidity management.
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An empirical analysis of perceived risks in derivatives trading

How to manage risk and uncertainty in projects : a comparative multiple-case study

  • Authors: Dubazane, Mandiseni Mbuso
  • Date: 2014-03-25
  • Subjects: Risk management , Project management
  • Type: Thesis
  • Identifier: uj:4478 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9818
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , Risk and uncertainty are very closely linked; they are recognized as threats arising from unclear causes and effects of the project. Risk and uncertainty management has always been acknowledged as a very important aspect of project management and is mostly used to accomplish project objectives. These objectives are; quality, cost, time, safety and environmental sustainability. A majority of researchers have focused on other characteristics of risks and uncertainty management rather than a comprehensive method which encompasses developing risk management plan, identify, and analyze the likelihood of its occurrence and consequence should it happen. The common challenges still experienced in project environment are; use of improper project management methodology, stake holder interference in the decision making process, complexity of the project, and changing requirements and management. This study seeks to look at how risk and uncertainty can be successfully managed within project environment. Through case studies this research will also look at how does improper risk management plan affect the project, and the consequences of stakeholder interference in the decision making process. The report presents project risk management approach of two projects carried out in the same organisation. The project A was executed by a project manager from the Project Management Office (PMO) in accordance with the project management methodology, while the execution of project B was highly influenced by a client/sponsor with no regard of the approved project management methodology. The selected projects both involved equipment replacement in which the main deliverables are supply and delivery of the final product. A description of the project risk management approach and analysis of data collected for each case study are followed by a comparison of two project risk management processes applied in case studies. This study will finally draw the conclusion and make recommendations based on its findings.
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An integrated process framework for engineering endeavours

  • Authors: Erasmus, Jonnro
  • Date: 2013-05-27
  • Subjects: Engineering firms - Management , Project management , Strategic planning , Risk management
  • Type: Mini-Dissertation
  • Identifier: uj:7549 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8407
  • Description: M.Ing. (Engineering Management) , With the exponential increase in the complexity of modern products, the enterprise which creates the product also increases in complexity. Projects to realise engineering products are often fraught with delays, budget overruns and unsatisfied clients. Such failures are often caused by any of the following factors: Lack of understanding and definition of the responsibilities of the parties involved; Lack of understanding of the challenges and planning to deal with those challenges; Lack of control of the input and output requirements, information and risks; Poor communication in the project team due to ambiguous and undefined technical terms; and Lack of work integration due to poor understanding of the different domains involved in the project. This dissertation sets about exploring the domains of systems engineering, project management and quality management, by extensively referencing industry standards and international good practice in the quest of unravelling conflicts and uncertainties. Selected concepts and business processes of each domain are studied to arrive at an understanding of the objectives and scopes of those processes. This understanding enables the integration of these business processes and concepts by utilising the widely-used plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. The business processes of each domain are divided into the four PDCA quadrants and integrated models of those quadrants are presented. The four quadrants are synthesised into a single framework which shows the project management, quality management and systems engineering processes performed during a single project phase. This Engineering Management Framework may be tailored for the design and realisation of any complex product, given adequate planning, understanding of the challenges and knowledge of the subject matter.
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