1. In what ways was the planning and scope management for this project appropriate and when did they began taking unknowing or unnecessary risks?
The project planning was to some extent appropriate. The design, while pushing beyond the boundaries of engineering practice, fully met the requirements of accepted theory at the time. The bridge’s design would have been sufficient if moderate winds did not occur since it had passed the static test. However, In addition to the mechanical causes that contributed to the failure, there were a number of issues with the design process that produced the bridge design. The Project Managers did not take the possible risk with the bridge into consideration and they lacked the experimental knowledge of how the girders would perform under unexpected wind speeds; they were more concerned about the bridge appearance.
2. Conduct a qualitative or quantitative risk assessment on this project. Identify the risk factors that you consider most important for the suspension bridge construction. How would you assess the riskiness of this project? Why?
Little risk analysis was done at the time because the designers did not recognize the risk in the design, sighting of the bridge or construction until after it had been constructed.
Technical risk emerges when a project contains unique technical elements or new and unproven technology. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge had many unique technical elements and was the first of its kind, hence high risk.
Commercial risk must be handled when a project is being