Review for: Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology
Book By: David Hillson & Peter Simon
Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology
Pages: 208 + Appendixes
Edition: Third Edition
Cost/Purchase Price:
Amazon: Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology
(As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases)
Overview of "Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology"
If you want an easy-to-read and easy-to-comprehend book, don’t look much farther!
This book by David and Peter goes beyond giving risk management theory. They give detailed examples on HOW to execute risk management in one’s projects. Something I know I will take away with my projects in the future.
From the start of the book, they strongly argue against allowing risk management to become: “Just another project management technique.” (pg.6)
Instead, they argue for the integration into the project management process. They say it should be “build it, not bolted on” (p.6) into the project management process.
Which is why in their book, they cover a full integration of topics like:
The Challenge of Managing Risk
Making it Work
The ATOM Risk Process
Start at the Beginning
Exposing the Challenge
ATOM for Small Projects
ATOM for Large Projects
and 10 other chapters on risk management. Each chapter has templates and examples. Ready to help you use in your upcoming projects.
Along with “Identifying and Managing Project Risk” by Tom Kendrick, this is a must-read for passing your PMI-RMP Exam! And I can easily tell why this book has made the PMI-RMP Exam Content Outline!
Who Should Read?
This book is ideal for anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of risk management. Especially if you want to learn through practical examples. Each one being easy to read and even easier to comprehend.
In Chapter 2, the authors make a list of why we don’t use risk management.
Process Takes Time and Costs Money
Responses Cost Money
Risk Management Doesn’t Work
Risk Management is Just Scaremongering
Managing Issues is More Fun
It’s Too Late
Too Busy Dealing with Issues
It’s Just Common Sense
Can’t Prove It Works
If you agree with these ideas on risk management, I suggest you read this book. It offers counterarguments for each point.
And these points can inspire anyone to gather their team for a risk meeting the next day!
If you are a PM looking to upskill or gain the coveted PMI-RMP® after your name – pick up this book today!
What I Enjoyed About The Book:
This book was an easy and enjoyable read.
Each chapter served a specific purpose, allowing me to split the book up throughout the month. I also was able to follow the specific flow of the book as they took me throughout their ATOM process. Finishing it up with applying ATOM to programs and other advanced areas.
It was educational, but didn’t feel like a textbook as they spelled out their ATOM Process. The process which I have actually failed to spell out for you so far.
ATOM stands for:
Active
Threat and
Management
ATOM helps people manage a key part of their projects: risk. Too many project managers tend to overlook it, so ATOM offers a framework to get it done.
Providing an eight-step process in applying ATOM, project managers can:
- Define Objectives
- Identify relevant uncertainties
- Prioritize uncertainties for further attention
- Develop appropriate responses
- Report results to key stakeholders
- Implement agreed-upon actions
- Monitor changes to keep up-to-date
- Learn lessons for the future
This process, similar to the Risk Management steps we already know, breaks down the risk management lifecycle into a simplitic form that any project manager can follow!
To include my favorite and most detailed description on HOW to actually execute a risk workshop. Which, the value of understanding is worth the price of this book, alone!
Pick up a copy of Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology. Your projects will appreciate you did!
What I Didn’t Enjoy About The Book:
This is another book I really enjoyed.
But there are two things I will say I didn’t like.
First, this book needs to come with or have an accompanying workbook. Something that allows you to take and apply the ATOM process to a project. The authors make great points, many that I now I have bookmarked for future use, but without wider margins to take notes, you lose the practicality of applying what you learn.
Which, I understand it is not a textbook, but there is an opportunity there to create more value for the readers.
And my second point is more of a warning vs. a dislike. And that is in reference to the audiobook version.
When I first tried to read this book, I listed to the audiobook version while studying for the PMI-RMP®, knowing it was a reference for the exam.
But that was a fail.
This book is an easy read, but is still pretty technical. Reading through it now, already being an RMP, I still took notes, bookmarked pages, and pulled away different areas for application in my projects.
Although it doesn’t take away from the value of this book – I highly recommend you DO NOT try to use the audio version of this book to study for the exam. Read it the old-fashioned way so that you gain maximum value for what the book is all about!
Overall Rating:
If you are studying for your PMI-RMP® exam – Pick up this book!
About the Authors
David Hillson
Dr. David Hillson, The Risk Doctor, is a globally recognized expert in risk management, known for pioneering innovations that have shaped industry standards. With experience in nearly 60 countries, he has authored twelve major books, including Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology. A PMI Fellow and recipient of multiple PMI awards, including the Distinguished Contribution Award and the David Cleland Project Management Literature Award, Hillson is a leading authority in the field. His expertise is widely sought after, with engaging keynote talks available on the RiskDoctorVideo YouTube channel.
Peter Simon
Peter Simon, PMP®, FAPM, HonFAPM, is a seasoned project management consultant with over 40 years of experience across industries, including oil and gas, utilities, and transportation. He has played a key role in developing project planning, control, and risk management strategies for projects worldwide. A former chairman of APM’s Risk Management SIG and managing editor of the APM PRAM Guide, he is both a Fellow and Honorary Fellow of APM. As a director at Lucidus Consulting and a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield University, he brings deep expertise in project and risk management. Simon is also the co-author of Starting Out in Project Management.
Other Book By Author(s)
David has over 20 books on Amazon – So take a look and pick up the ones that interest you the most! -> Link
PMI Contributions:
David Hillson: https://community.pmi.org/profile/dhillson/tab=contributions
Link to Author Website:
David Hillson: The Risk Doctor
Joint Site: Atom Experts
The Risk Blog
Thank you for checking out this book review for: Practical Project Risk Management: The ATOM Methodology
I highly recommend you pick up this book, take notes, and apply some of its contents in your daily life and projects!
Comment below and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter!
The Risk Blog is reader supported. All funds provided assist with the operating costs of the website and this blog.
The Risk Blog is also subcomponent of Forty-Four Risk PM, LLC.
Thank you!
