Identifying and prioritizing of risks in electric industry development projects (Case study: transmission and high distribution of Khorasan Regional Electric Co.)

Each year many large scale national projects face execution problems. In this regard, risk management can play a significant role in identifying and taking proper measures. In this research, using Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), a risk management procedure has been designed and implemented in transmission and high distribution power lines of Khorasan Regional Electric Company. First, using the results obtained from field studies and other information gathering tools, different kinds of risks in transmission and high distribution power lines have been identified. Next, risks analysis have been carried out based on probability of occurrence, ease of detection, manageability as well as their impact on project goals. The rate of goals achievement was taken into account by three criteria including time, cost and quality of execution. This followed by classification of the risks, through risk breakdown structure, and then their prioritization. The results show that budget shortage, sanctions issues, improper selection of project team, have been the main risks in the projects considered in this research. The proposed approach in this study, with minor modifications, may be employed to manage the risks in other large scale national projects.