Risk Management

Bill McAnally and I updated the primer we previously posted. A big shout-out to those who provided input. We need some additional examples and are hoping the community can assist us. Please post or DM either of us if you can help. Comments and suggestions for improvement on the updated draft are welcome. We worked hard to keep it simple, taking a less is best approach. 

------------------------------
Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
Houston, TX
------------------------------

Thanks for posting, Mitch.

We're looking forward to comments, both pro and con, on this draft. We really need your help to make it useful to the widest possible audience of early career engineers. So, overcome that inertia and say something, anything, half-baked, sourdough, or whole wheat!

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Bill and Mitchell, I enjoyed reading the primer. I have attached a document with my comments.

Jim

------------------------------
James Seibert P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Evansville IN
------------------------------

Thanks for your feedback. It is great validation that we are on the right track. We will take your comments to heart as we further refine the document.

The role that codes and standards play in treating risk was an 'aha' moment for me.

------------------------------
Mitch Winkler P.E.(inactive), M.ASCE
Houston, TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2025 03:37 PM
From: James Seibert
Subject: Risk Management Primer: Help Requested

Bill and Mitchell, I enjoyed reading the primer. I have attached a document with my comments.

Jim

------------------------------
James Seibert P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Evansville IN
------------------------------

Excellent comments, Jim. Many thanks for improving the primer.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2025 03:37 PM
From: James Seibert
Subject: Risk Management Primer: Help Requested

Bill and Mitchell, I enjoyed reading the primer. I have attached a document with my comments.

Jim

------------------------------
James Seibert P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Evansville IN
------------------------------

Thanks again, Jim. I incorporated your thoughts into the draft along with those we received by email. Mitch will look them over when he returns from vacation and we'll post a revised draft.

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-02-2025 03:37 PM
From: James Seibert
Subject: Risk Management Primer: Help Requested

Bill and Mitchell, I enjoyed reading the primer. I have attached a document with my comments.

Jim

------------------------------
James Seibert P.E., M.ASCE
Retired
Evansville IN
------------------------------

Here's a summary of suggested revisions to the Primer. We'll start work on these. Any others?

1. Risk has two ways – achieving objectives and avoiding adverse consequences
2. Emphasis on "Systems Approach"
3. Typical metrics
4. Definitions. More examples? ISO 31000?
5. Explicit inclusion of safety. Adapt EU OSH, Occupational safety and health, that stands for "the discipline dealing with the prevention of work-related injuries and diseases as well as the protection and promotion of the health of workers."
6. More Technical Risk examples
7. Evolution of risk as project/design progresses
8. Example Risk Register? Good RR practices?
9. Leach's slides
10. Discuss Prudent risks?
11. Distinction between Uncertainty and Risk
12. Errors and Omissions insurance

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

As a lifelong dam safety engineer I am always interested in the intersection of risks associated with human factors with the risks from Mother Nature 

------------------------------
Mark Killgore P.E., BC.WRE(Ret.), F.EWRI, F.ASCE

Henrico VA
[Phone]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 03:54 PM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Risk Management Primer: Help Requested

Here's a summary of suggested revisions to the Primer. We'll start work on these. Any others?

1. Risk has two ways – achieving objectives and avoiding adverse consequences
2. Emphasis on "Systems Approach"
3. Typical metrics
4. Definitions. More examples? ISO 31000?
5. Explicit inclusion of safety. Adapt EU OSH, Occupational safety and health, that stands for "the discipline dealing with the prevention of work-related injuries and diseases as well as the protection and promotion of the health of workers."
6. More Technical Risk examples
7. Evolution of risk as project/design progresses
8. Example Risk Register? Good RR practices?
9. Leach's slides
10. Discuss Prudent risks?
11. Distinction between Uncertainty and Risk
12. Errors and Omissions insurance

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

That's a good thought, Mark. I've been concerned with natural risks, such as floods. Would one intersection be building structures in a flood plain? What are some examples of intersections that you're thinking of?

Bill Mc

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2026 02:05 PM
From: Mark Killgore
Subject: Risk Management Primer: Help Requested

As a lifelong dam safety engineer I am always interested in the intersection of risks associated with human factors with the risks from Mother Nature 

------------------------------
Mark Killgore P.E., BC.WRE(Ret.), F.EWRI, F.ASCE

Henrico VA
[Phone]
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2026 03:54 PM
From: William McAnally
Subject: Risk Management Primer: Help Requested

Here's a summary of suggested revisions to the Primer. We'll start work on these. Any others?

1. Risk has two ways – achieving objectives and avoiding adverse consequences
2. Emphasis on "Systems Approach"
3. Typical metrics
4. Definitions. More examples? ISO 31000?
5. Explicit inclusion of safety. Adapt EU OSH, Occupational safety and health, that stands for "the discipline dealing with the prevention of work-related injuries and diseases as well as the protection and promotion of the health of workers."
6. More Technical Risk examples
7. Evolution of risk as project/design progresses
8. Example Risk Register? Good RR practices?
9. Leach's slides
10. Discuss Prudent risks?
11. Distinction between Uncertainty and Risk
12. Errors and Omissions insurance

------------------------------
William McAnally Ph.D., P.E., BC.CE, BC.NE, F.ASCE
ENGINEER
Columbus MS